Screen operating device

ABSTRACT

A screen operating device having good operability is obtained. When a push switch is pressed via a sheet switch within a predetermined time from a finger touching the sheet switch, a click signal is received within a predetermined time from receipt of a touch signal. After receipt of this touch signal, if a click signal is received within a predetermined time, buttons other than a predetermined selection button  32  are not displayed on a screen of a monitor device  26 , and processing corresponding to a label displayed on the selection button  32  is carried out. In this way, a specific processing, such as a processing having a high frequency of use or the like, can be carried out rapidly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a screen operating devicecarrying out switching and the like of images which are displayed, forexample, on an output screen of a monitor device.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

[0002] In recent years, there has been the trend toward increasing thefunctions of so-called car navigation devices in which a map, forexample, is displayed on an output screen of a monitor device mounted ina vehicle, such that the current position of the vehicle or the like canbe confirmed.

[0003] On the other hand, basically, an operation button or an operationswitch or the like for each function which the car navigation device hasis provided at controllers for operating car navigation devices up untilnow. By operating the operation button or the operation switchcorresponding to a desired function, that function is executed.

[0004] However, it has become difficult to provide, at a controller, anoperation button or an operation switch for each function due to theincrease in the functions of car navigation devices as described above,i.e., the large increase in the types of functions.

[0005] Further, even if an operation button or an operation switch wereprovided for each function at one controller, the operation buttons orthe operation switches would be extremely small, and the problem thatthe operability thereof would be poor would arise.

[0006] On the other hand, with regard to so-called car audio devices aswell which carry out playback of music data or the like recorded oncompact discs and carry out receiving and the like of radio broadcastsor television broadcasts, the same problems as with car navigationdevices arise due to the increase in the functions of car audio devicesin the same way as with the above-described car navigation devices.

[0007] In consideration of the above-described circumstances, an objectof the present invention is to provide a screen operating device whichhas good operability.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In order to achieve the above-described object, the screenoperating device recited in claim 1 comprises detecting means having anoperation surface which is a flat surface or a curved surface, anddetecting an operating body on the operation surface, and outputting adetection signal when detecting the operating body; and control meansfor displaying an image on an outputting means, and for switching ormaintaining the image displayed on the outputting means on the basis ofa detection signal, from the detecting means, corresponding to at leastone of a presence/absence of the operating body on the operationsurface, a position of the operating body on the operation surface, anda locus of movement on the operation surface.

[0009] The screen operating device recited in claim 2 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 1, the detecting meansis structured so as to include: operating body detecting means fordetecting the presence/absence of the operating body on the operationsurface, and for outputting an operating body detection signal at leastwhen detecting the operating body on the operation surface; and pressingforce detecting means for detecting a pressing force applied to theoperation surface, and for outputting a pressing force detection signalwhen detecting the pressing force, and when the pressing force detectionsignal is not outputted after a predetermined time has elapsed fromoutput of the operating body detection signal, a predetermined screen isoutputted to the outputting means, and when the pressing force detectionsignal is outputted within the predetermined time, the control meanscarries out a specific processing other than outputting of thepredetermined screen.

[0010] The screen operating device recited in claim 3 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 1, the detecting meansis structured so as to include an operating body detecting means fordetecting the presence/absence of the operating body on the operationsurface, and for outputting an operating body detection signal at leastwhen detecting the operating body on the operation surface, and when theoperating body detection signal is outputted continuously after apredetermined time has elapsed from output of the operating bodydetection signal, the control means outputs a predetermined screen tothe outputting means, and when output of the operating body detectionsignal is stopped within the predetermined time, the control meanscarries out a specific processing other than output of the predeterminedscreen.

[0011] The screen operating device recited in claim 4 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 1, the detecting meansis structured so as to include: operating body detecting means fordetecting the presence/absence of the operating body on the operationsurface, and for outputting an operating body detection signal at leastwhen detecting the operating body on the operation surface; and pressingforce detecting means for detecting a pressing force applied to theoperation surface, and in either one case of a case in which thepressing force detection signal is outputted within a predetermined timefrom output of the operating body detection signal, and a case in whichoutput of the operating body detection signal is stopped within a time,which is the same as or different than the predetermined time, fromoutput of the operating body detection signal, the control means outputsa predetermined screen to the outputting means, and in the other case,the control means carries out a specific processing other than output ofthe predetermined screen.

[0012] The screen operating device recited in claim 5 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 1, the detecting meansis structured so as to include a position detecting means for detectinga position of the operating body on the operation surface, and foroutputting a position detection signal corresponding to the position ofthe operating body on the operation surface, and when the control meansdisplays, on the outputting means, a first screen based on a specificfunction and one or a plurality of function switching portions belongingto another function which is different than the specific function, andthe position of the operating body on the operation surface based on theposition detection signal corresponds to the function switching portion,the control means displays on the outputting means a second screen basedon the other function to which said function switching portion belongs.

[0013] The screen operating device recited in claim 6 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 5, in a state in whichthe control means displays the second screen on the outputting means,when the position detection signal is not outputted, the control meansdisplays the first screen on the outputting means.

[0014] The screen operating device recited in claim 7 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 5, in a displayed stateof the second screen, the control means displays one or a plurality ofselection portions belonging to the other function, and in a stateimmediately after switching to the second screen, the control means setsthe selection portion, which is at a position corresponding to thefunction switching portion which was selected during display of thefirst screen immediately before display of the second screen, in aselected state.

[0015] The screen operating device recited in claim 8 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 7, the control meansdisplays, at the function switching portion, processing contents at thetime of selecting the selection portion which is set in the selectedstate immediately after the second screen switching.

[0016] The screen operating device recited in claim 9 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 6, in a displayed stateof the second screen, the control means displays one or a plurality ofselection portions belonging to the other function, and in a stateimmediately after switching to the second screen, the control means setsthe selection portion, which is at a position corresponding to thefunction switching portion which was selected during display of thefirst screen immediately before display of the second screen, in aselected state.

[0017] The screen operating device recited in claim 10 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 9, the control meansdisplays, at the function switching portion, processing contents at thetime of selecting the selection portion which is set in the selectedstate immediately after the second screen switching.

[0018] The screen operating device recited in claim 11 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 1, the detecting meansis structured so as to include a position detecting means for detectinga position of the operating body on the operation surface and foroutputting a position detection signal corresponding to the position ofthe operating body on the operation surface, and the control meansdisplays data at respective predetermined positions in a display regionof the outputting means, and, on the basis of the position detectionsignal, the control means computes a moving direction of the operatingbody moving on the operation surface, and the control means moves all ofor a portion of the data in a direction substantially opposite to themoving direction, and displays, on the outputting means, data of anouter side of the display region in a direction corresponding to themoving direction.

[0019] The screen operating device recited in claim 12 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 11, on the basis of theposition detection signal which changes, the control means computes astaying time of the operating body at at least one point of a movementstarting point of the operating body on the operation surface, one orplural intermediate points during movement, and a movement ending point,or a moving time from at least one of the points to another one point,and the control means executes movement of the data when the computedstaying time or moving time is less than a predetermined value.

[0020] The screen operating device recited in claim 13 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 12, on the basis of apredetermined detection signal which the detecting means outputs otherthan the position detection signal which changes, the control meansmoves all of or a portion of the data at a speed which is different thana moving speed of the data based on the position detection signal whichchanges.

[0021] The screen operating device recited in claim 14 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 13, on the basis of theposition detection signal which changes, the control means computes astaying time of the operating body at at least one point of a movementstarting point of the operating body on the operation surface, one orplural intermediate points during movement, and a movement ending point,or a moving time from at least one of the points to another one pointand sets a moving speed of the data on the basis of the computed stayingtime or moving time.

[0022] The screen operating device recited in claim 15 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 14, the control meansexecutes movement of the data when the position detection signal, in acase in which the position detecting means detects the operating bodywhose movement on the operation surface has ended and which ispositioned on the operation surface, is not outputted immediately afterthe position detection signal which changes is outputted.

[0023] The screen operating device recited in claim 16 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 11, on the basis of apredetermined detection signal which the detecting means outputs otherthan the position detection signal which changes, the control meansmoves all of or a portion of the data at a speed which is different thana moving speed of the data based on the position detection signal whichchanges.

[0024] The screen operating device recited in claim 17 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 16, on the basis of theposition detection signal which changes, the control means computes astaying time of the operating body at at least one point of a movementstarting point of the operating body on the operation surface, one orplural intermediate points during movement, and a movement ending point,or a moving time from at least one of the points to another one point,and sets a moving speed of the data on the basis of the computed stayingtime or moving time.

[0025] The screen operating device recited in claim 18 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 17, the control meansexecutes movement of the data when the position detection signal, in acase in which the position detecting means detects the operating bodywhose movement on the operation surface has ended and which ispositioned on the operation surface, is not outputted immediately afterthe position detection signal which changes is outputted.

[0026] The screen operating device recited in claim 19 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 11, on the basis of theposition detection signal which changes, the control means computes astaying time of the operating body at at least one point of a movementstarting point of the operating body on the operation surface, one orplural intermediate points during movement, and a movement ending point,or a moving time from at least one of the points to another one point,and sets a moving speed of the data on the basis of the computed stayingtime or moving time.

[0027] The screen operating device recited in claim 20 has the featurethat, in the present invention recited in claim 19, the control meansexecutes movement of the data when the position detection signal, in acase in which the position detecting means detects the operating bodywhose movement on the operation surface has ended and which ispositioned on the operation surface, is not outputted immediately afterthe position detection signal which changes is outputted.

[0028] The screen operating device recited in claim 21 has the featurethat, in th present invention recited in claim 11, the control meansexecutes movement of the data when the position detection signal in acase in which the position detecting means detects the operating bodywhose movement on the operation surface has ended and which ispositioned on the operation surface, is not outputted immediately afterthe position detection signal which changes is outputted.

[0029] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 1, when an operating body such as a person's finger orthe like is positioned on the operation surface, the operating body onthe operation surface is detected by the detecting means. Further, whenthe detecting means detects the operating body on the operation surface,the detecting means outputs a detection signal and this detection signalis inputted to the control means.

[0030] If the detection signal inputted to the control means is a signalcorresponding to at least any one of the presence/absence of theoperating body on the operation surface, the position of the operatingbody on the operation surface, and the locus of movement on theoperation surface, the image (screen) displayed on the outputting meansis switched or maintained by the control means.

[0031] In this way, the operation or the like by the operating body onthe operation surface whose operation region is a flat surface or acurved surface is carried out, which is different than a conventionalscreen operation by a switch or a button. Thus, by applying the presentinvention to, for example, a car navigation device having many functionsor the like, display is switched to a screen corresponding to a desiredfunction, even without disposing a large number of buttons or switches.

[0032] Furthermore, for example, by displaying a main menu formed by aplurality of selection portions (as one example, so-called “icons”) onthe screen of the outputting means, and selecting a selection portion towhich the desired function belongs by operation of the operating body onthe operation surface, it is possible to also carry out so-called“hierarchical processing” in which a sub menu screen of a selectedfunction which is similarly structured by a plurality of selectionportions is displayed, and it is easy to handle the trend towardincreasing the functions.

[0033] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 2, when an operating body such as a person's finger orthe like is positioned on the operation surface, this is detected by theoperating body detecting means, and an operating body detection signalis outputted. Further, for example, when pressing force is applied tothe operation surface by the operating body or the like, the pressingforce is detected by the pressing force detecting means, and a pressingforce detection signal is outputted.

[0034] When the operating body detection signal from the operating bodydetecting means is inputted to the control means, the control means oranother clocking means starts clocking. If a pressing force detectionsignal is not inputted to the control means even if a predetermined timehas elapsed from input of the operating body detection signal to thecontrol means, a predetermined screen is outputted to the outputtingmeans by the control means.

[0035] Accordingly, in this state, the operator can confirm thepredetermined screen outputted to the outputting means. For example, ifthe predetermined screen is a guiding screen for guiding the operationthereafter, the operator can reliably carry out the operation thereafterwhile confirming the screen.

[0036] In contrast, if a pressing force detection hand signal isinputted to the control means within the predetermined time from theinput of the operating body detection signal to the control means, aspecific processing other than the output of the predetermined screen tothe outputting means is carried out by the control means.

[0037] In this way, in a case in which, for example, the processingcontents of the specific processing are known even if the outputtingmeans is not confirmed, as described above, the specific processing isexecuted by applying pressing force to the operation surface within thepredetermined time. Thus, processing can be executed quickly as comparedwith a case in which processing is again carried out after confirmingthe operation contents at the outputting means. Thus, it is possible toprevent or lessen the operator from having an unpleasant feeling due toa processing delay or the like or output of unnecessary operationcontents.

[0038] Note that, in the present invention, for example, theaforementioned predetermined screen is outputted to the outputtingmeans, and in this state, the processing which is carried out at thecontrol means or another means by some type of operation may be the sameas or different than the aforementioned specific processing.

[0039] Further, the aforementioned specific processing of course may bea processing which is completely different than the processing ofoutputting the aforementioned predetermined screen. For example, it maybe a processing of outputting only a portion of the predeterminedscreen, or may be a processing of outputting a portion of or all ofanother screen other than the predetermined screen.

[0040] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 3, when an operating body such as a person's finger orthe like is positioned on the operation surface, this is detected by theoperating body detecting means, and an operating body detection signalis outputted. When the operating body detection signal is inputted fromthe operating body detecting means to the control means, the controlmeans or another clocking means starts clocking. When a predeterminedtime has elapsed from input of the operating body detection signal tothe control means, and further, the operating body detection hand signalis continuously inputted to the control means, the predetermined screenis outputted by the control means to the outputting means.

[0041] Accordingly, in this state, the operator can confirm thepredetermined screen outputted to the outputting means. For example, ifthe predetermined screen is a guiding screen for guiding the operationthereafter, the operator can reliably carry out the operation thereafterwhile confirming the screen.

[0042] In contrast, if output of the operating body detection signal isstopped within the predetermined time from the input of the operatingbody detection signal to the control means, a specific processing otherthan the output of the predetermined screen to the outputting means iscarried out by the control means.

[0043] In this way, in a case in which, for example, the processingcontents of the specific processing are known even if the outputtingmeans is not confirmed, as described above, the specific processing isexecuted by moving the operating body away from the operation surfacewithin the predetermined time, or the like. Thus, processing can beexecuted quickly as compared with a case in which processing is againcarried out after confirming the operation contents at the outputtingmeans. Thus, it is possible to prevent or lessen the operator fromhaving an unpleasant feeling due to a processing delay or the like oroutput of unnecessary operation contents.

[0044] Note that, in the present invention, for example, theaforementioned predetermined image is outputted to the outputting means,and in this state, the processing which is carried out at the controlmeans or another means by some type of operation may be the same as ordifferent than the aforementioned specific processing.

[0045] Further, the aforementioned specific processing of course may bea processing which is completely different than the processing ofoutputting the aforementioned predetermined image. For example, it maybe a processing of outputting only a portion of the predetermined image,or may be a processing of outputting a portion of or all of anotherimage other than the predetermined screen.

[0046] Moreover, the specific processing recited in claim 3 and thespecific processing recited in claim 2 may be processings of the samecontents, or may be different processings.

[0047] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 4, when an operating body such as a person's finger orthe like is positioned on the operation surface, this is detected by theoperating body detecting means, and an operating body detection signalis outputted. Further, for example, when pressing force is applied tothe operation surface by the operating body or the like, the pressingforce is detected by the pressing force detecting means, and a pressingforce detection signal is outputted.

[0048] When the operating body detection signal from the operating bodydetecting means is inputted to the control means, the control means oranother clocking means begins clocking. A predetermined screen isoutputted to the outputting means by the control means, in either onecase of a case in which a pressing force detection signal is inputted tothe control means within a predetermined time from input of theoperating body detection signal to the control means, and a case inwhich output of the operating body detection signal is stopped within atime which is the same as or different than the aforementionedpredetermined time due to the operating body having been positioned onthe operation surface but the operating body being moved away from theoperation surface within the predetermined time, or the like.

[0049] Accordingly, in this state, the operator can confirm thepredetermined screen outputted to the outputting means. For example, ifthe predetermined screen is a guiding screen for guiding the operationthereafter, the operator can reliably carry out the operation thereafterwhile confirming the screen.

[0050] In contrast, in the other case as opposed to the aforementionedone case, a specific processing other than output of the predeterminedscreen to the outputting means is carried out by the control means.

[0051] In this way, in a case in which, for example, the processingcontents of the specific processing are known even if the outputtingmeans is not confirmed, as described above, the specific processing isexecuted by carrying out an operation resulting in the aforementionedother case. Thus, processing can be executed quickly as compared with acase in which processing is again carried out after confirming theoperation contents at the outputting means. Thus, it is possible toprevent or lessen the operator from having an unpleasant feeling due toa processing delay or the like or output of unnecessary operationcontents.

[0052] Note that, in the present invention, for example, theaforementioned predetermined image is outputted to the outputting means,and in this state, the processing which is carried out at the controlmeans or another means by some type of operation may be the same as ordifferent than the aforementioned specific processing.

[0053] Further, the aforementioned specific processing of course may bea processing which is completely different than the processing ofoutputting the aforementioned predetermined image. For example, it maybe a processing of outputting only a portion of the predetermined image,or may be a processing of outputting a portion of or all of anotherimage other than the predetermined screen.

[0054] Moreover, the specific processing recited in claim 4 and thespecific processing recited in claim 1 or claim 2 may be processings ofthe same contents, or may be different processings.

[0055] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 5, in a state in which a first screen based on aspecific function is displayed at the outputting means, when theposition detecting means detects the position of the operating body onthe operation surface and a position detection signal corresponding tothe position of the operating body is outputted from the positiondetecting means, this position detection signal is inputted to thecontrol means. If the position of the operating body on the operationsurface, which is based on the position detection signal inputted to thecontrol means, corresponds to a function switching portion on the firstscreen, that function switching portion is selected. In this way, asecond screen, which is based on the function (another function) towhich the selected function switching portion belongs, is displayed.

[0056] In this way, in the present screen operating device, even if thefirst screen which is based on a specific function is displayed, byselecting the function switching portion, it is possible to switch to asecond screen which is based on another function. Therefore, theoperability at the time of carrying out operations belonging to otherfunctions is good.

[0057] Note that it suffices for what is called the second screen here(i.e., the screen based on the other function) to be a screen which cancarry out operations based on another function. Provided that operationsbased on another function can be carried out, a screen based on afunction (e.g., a specific function) which is different than the otherfunction may be displayed.

[0058] Further, a structure is of course possible in which, when thedetecting means detects the Operating body at a position, on theoperation surface, which is different than the position corresponding tothe function selection portion during display of the first screen workbelonging to a specific function based on the first screen is selectedor is executed.

[0059] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 6, in a state in which the second screen is displayedat the outputting means, if a position detection signal is notoutputted, the display of the outputting means is switched by thecontrol means to the first screen which is based on the specificfunction before switching to the second screen.

[0060] Thus, even in a case in which the selected other function is notthe desired function or in a case in which operation belonging to theselected other function is finished or the like, there is no need for aspecial operation for returning to the original screen and theoperability is improved even more.

[0061] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 7, one or a plurality of selection portions belongingto another function are displayed on the second screen by the controlmeans. Here, in the present screen operating device, in a stateimmediately after having switched to the second screen, the selectionportion, which is at the position corresponding to the functionswitching portion which was selected during display of the first screenimmediately before the second screen was displayed, is set in a selectedstate by the control means.

[0062] Accordingly, if an execution instruction is carried outimmediately after switching to the second screen, processingcorresponding to this selection portion is executed. Namely, in thepresent screen operating device, in a case in which processingcorresponding to this selection portion is carried out, there is no needto carrying out the selection work again after having switched to thesecond screen. Thus, the workability is improved.

[0063] In particular, the workability can be improved even more byallotting a processing having a particularly high frequency of use to aselection portion which is set in a selected state immediately after thesecond screen switching.

[0064] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 8, the processing contents of the selection portionwhich is set in a selected state immediately after second screenswitching, are displayed by the control means at the function switchingportion. Thus, even during display of the first screen, the processingcontents due to selecting that function switching portion and carryingout the execution instruction, are known, and the operability improveseven more.

[0065] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 9, one or a plurality of selection portions whichbelong to another function are displayed on the second screen by thecontrol means. Here, in the present screen operating device, in thestate immediately after having switched to the second screen, theselection portion, which is at the position corresponding to thefunction switching portion which was selected during display of thefirst screen immediately before the second screen was displayed, is setin a selected state by the control means.

[0066] Accordingly, if an execution instruction is carried outimmediately after switching to the second screen, the processingcorresponding to this selection portion is executed. Namely, in thepresent screen operating device, in a case in which the processingcorresponding to this selection portion is carried out, there is no needto again carry out the selection work after the second screen has beenswitched to. Thus, the workability improves.

[0067] In particular, the workability can be improved even more byallotting a processing having a particularly high frequency of use to aselection portion which is set in a selected state immediately after thesecond screen switching.

[0068] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 10, the processing contents of the selection portionwhich is set in a selected state immediately after second screenswitching, are displayed by the control means at the function switchingportion. Thus, even during display of the first screen, the processingcontents due to selecting that function switching portion and carryingout the execution instruction, are known, and the operability improveseven more.

[0069] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 11, when the operating body ispositioned on the operation surface in a state in which data isdisplayed in a display region of the outputting means, the position ofthe operating body on the operation surface is detected by the positiondetecting means. Further, when the position detecting means detects theposition of the operating body on the operation surface, the positiondetecting means outputs a position detection signal correspondingthereto, and this position detection signal is inputted to the controlmeans.

[0070] Further, when the operating body moves on the operation surface,in accordance therewith, the position of the operating body on theoperation surface which the position detecting means detects, changes,and the position detection signal also changes in accordance therewith.At the control means, the moving direction of the operating body on theoperation surface is computed on the basis of the inputted positiondetection signal.

[0071] Next, at the control means, all of or a portion of the datadisplayed at the outputting means is moved in the directionsubstantially opposite to the computed moving direction, with respect tothe display region. In this way, all of or a portion of the data, whichwas positioned within the display region of the outputting means upuntil then, is moved out of the display region either continuously orintermittently, from the side in the direction substantially opposite tothe computed moving direction. Further, the data, which was up untilthen positioned outside of the display region at the side opposite thecomputed moving direction, is moved into the display region from theside substantially opposite to the computed moving direction, and isdisplayed.

[0072] In this way, in the present screen operating device, by movingthe data in the direction opposite to the moving direction of theoperating body, it appears as if the display region has moved in themoving direction of the operating body.

[0073] Here, as described above, in the present screen operating device,movement of the data is carried out by a position detection signal whichchanges being inputted. Further, the moving direction of the data atthis time is carried out by the control means computing the movingdirection of the operating body on the operation surface. In this way,if the operating body is moved on the operation surface, even if,thereafter, no operation is carried out or operation is not continued,it is possible to continue moving the data.

[0074] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 12, when a position detection signal which changes isoutputted from the position detecting means due to the operating bodymoving on the operation surface, on the basis of this position detectionsignal, a staying time of the operating body at at least one point of amovement starting point of the operating body, one or pluralintermediate points during the movement, and a movement ending point, ora moving time from one of these points to another one point, is computedby the control means.

[0075] Moreover, when the computed staying time or moving time is lessthan a predetermined value, movement of data is executed by the controlmeans.

[0076] In this way, inadvertent movement of data due to inadvertentmovement of the operating body on the operation surface or the like isprevented or suppressed.

[0077] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 13, when a predetermined detectionsignal, which is different from the position detection signal whichchanges and which is based on the movement of the operating body on theoperation surface, is outputted from the detecting means, the controlmeans moves all of or a portion of the data at a moving speed which isdifferent than a case in which the position detection signal whichchanges is inputted.

[0078] Accordingly, by properly using the operation for outputting thepredetermined detection signal and the movement of the operating body onthe operation surface, adjustment of the data moving speed is possible.

[0079] In the screen operating device relating to the present inventionrecited in claim 14, when a position detection signal which changes isoutputted from the position detecting means due to the operating bodymoving on the operation surface, on the basis of this position detectionsignal which changes, a staying time of the operating body at at leastone point of a movement starting point of the operating body, one orplural intermediate points during the movement, and a movement endingpoint, or a moving time from one of these points to another one point,is computed at the control means.

[0080] Moreover, the moving speed of the data is set by the controlmeans on the basis of the computed staying time or moving time.

[0081] Namely, in the present screen operating device, for example, thedata moving speed differs in a case in which the moving speed of theoperating body on the operation surface is fast and a case in which itis slow. Accordingly, rapid movement of data and fine adjustment of thedata display position and the like are easy.

[0082] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 15, in a case in which movement ofthe operating body on the operation surface has ended, basically, thereare a case in which the operating body is staying on the operationsurface in a state in which movement has ended, and a case in which theoperating body has been moved away from the operation surfaceimmediately after movement ended.

[0083] Here, in the present screen operating device, movement of data bythe control means is executed only in cases in which a positiondetection signal, which is outputted from the position detecting meanswhen the operating body stays on the operation surface in a state inwhich movement has ended, is not outputted, i.e., only in cases in whichthe operating body has moved away from the operation surface immediatelyafter movement ended.

[0084] Namely, by setting in this way, movement of data is not executedif the operating body is not intentionally moved away from the operationsurface. In this way, inadvertent movement of data is prevented orsuppressed.

[0085] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 16, when a predetermined detectionsignal, which is different from the position detection signal whichchanges and which is based on the movement of the operating body on theoperation surface, is outputted from the detecting means, the controlmeans moves all of or a portion of the data at a moving speed which isdifferent than a case in which the position detection signal whichchanges is inputted.

[0086] Accordingly, by properly using the operation for outputting thepredetermined detection signal and the movement of the operating body onthe operation surface, adjustment of the data moving speed is possible.

[0087] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 17, when a position detection signalwhich changes is outputted from the position detecting means due to theoperating body moving on the operation surface, on the basis of thisposition detection signal which changes, a staying time of the operatingbody at at least one point of a movement starting point of the operatingbody, one or plural intermediate points during the movement, and amovement ending point, or a moving time from one of these points toanother one point, is computed at the control means.

[0088] Moreover, the moving speed of the data is set by the controlmeans on the basis of the computed staying time or moving time.

[0089] Namely, in the present screen operating device, for example, thedata moving speed differs in a case in which the moving speed of theoperating body on the operation surface is fast and a case in which itis slow. Accordingly, rapid movement of data and fine adjustment of thedata display position and the like are easy.

[0090] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 18, in a case in which movement ofthe operating body on the operation surface has ended, basically, thereare a case in which the operating body is staying on the operationsurface in a state in which movement has ended, and a case in which theoperating body has been moved away from the operation surfaceimmediately after movement ended.

[0091] Here, in the present screen operating device, movement of data bythe control means is executed only in cases in which a positiondetection signal, which is outputted from the position detecting meanswhen the operating body stays on the operation surface in a state inwhich movement has ended, is not outputted, i.e., only in cases in whichthe operating body has moved away from the operation surface immediatelyafter movement ended.

[0092] Namely, by setting in this way, movement of data is not executedif the operating body is not intentionally moved away from the operationsurface. In this way, inadvertent movement of data is prevented orsuppressed.

[0093] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 19, when a position detection signalwhich changes is outputted from the position detecting means due to theoperating body moving on the operation surface, an the basis of thisposition detection signal which changes, a staying time of the operatingbody at at least one point of a movement starting point of the operatingbody, one or plural intermediate points during the movement, and amovement ending point, or a moving time from one of these points toanother one point, is computed at the control means.

[0094] Moreover, the moving speed of the data is set by the controlmeans on the basis of the computed staying time or moving time.

[0095] Namely, in the present screen operating device, for example, thedata moving speed differs in a case in which the moving speed of theoperating body on the operation surface is fast and a case in which itis slow. Accordingly, rapid movement of data and fine adjustment of thedata display position and the like are easy.

[0096] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 20, in a case in which movement ofthe operating body on the operation surface has ended, basically, thereare a case in which the operating body is staying on the operationsurface in a state in which movement has ended, and a case in which theoperating body has been moved away from the operation surfaceimmediately after movement ended.

[0097] Here, in the present screen operating device, movement of data bythe control means is executed only in cases in which a positiondetection signal, which is outputted from the position detecting meanswhen the operating body stays on the operation surface in a state inwhich movement has ended, is not outputted, i.e., only in cases in whichthe operating body has moved away from the operation surface immediatelyafter movement ended.

[0098] Namely, by setting in this way, movement of data is not executedif the operating body is not intentionally moved away from the operationsurface. In this way, inadvertent movement of data is prevented orsuppressed.

[0099] In accordance with the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention recited in claim 21, in a case in which movement ofthe operating body on the operation surface has ended, basically, thereare a case in which the operating body is staying on the operationsurface in a state in which movement has ended, and a case in which theoperating body has been moved away from the operation surfaceimmediately after movement ended.

[0100] Here, in the present screen operating device, movement of data bythe control means is executed only in cases in which a positiondetection signal, which is outputted from the position detecting meanswhen the operating body stays on the operation surface in a state inwhich movement has ended, is not outputted, i.e., only in cases in whichthe operating body has moved away from the operation surface immediatelyafter movement ended.

[0101] Namely, by setting in this way, movement of data is not executedif the operating body is not intentionally moved away from the operationsurface. In this way, inadvertent movement of data is prevented orsuppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0102]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic externalappearance of a screen operating device relating to a first embodimentof the present invention.

[0103]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of thescreen operating device relating to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0104]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a controller equipped with a detectingmeans of the screen operating device relating to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0105]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing main portions of thecontroller and taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0106]FIG. 5 is a plan view of an unfolded state of the detecting means.

[0107]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the screenoperating device relating to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0108]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of usual tracemode processing.

[0109]FIG. 8 is a screen example of an outputting means of the screenoperating device relating to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0110]FIG. 9 is a screen example, corresponding to FIG. 8, at the timeof usual trace mode processing.

[0111]FIG. 10 is a screen example corresponding to FIG. 9, and shows astate in which touch signal processing has been carried out.

[0112]FIG. 11 is a screen example corresponding to FIG. 10, and shows astate in which click signal processing has been carried out.

[0113]FIG. 12 is a screen example, corresponding to FIG. 8, at the timeof direct entry mode processing which is one specific processing.

[0114]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of a screenoperating device relating to a second embodiment of the presentinvention,

[0115]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of tap menu modeprocessing in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0116]FIG. 15 is a screen example, corresponding to FIG. 8, in a firstmenu display state at the time of tap menu mode processing which is onespecific processing.

[0117]FIG. 16 is a screen example corresponding to FIG. 15, and shows astate at the time of tap menu mode processing, which is one specificprocessing, and in which touch signal processing has been carried out.

[0118]FIG. 17 is a screen example corresponding to FIG. 15, and shows astate at the time of tap menu mode processing, which is one specificprocessing, and in which click signal processing has been carried out.

[0119]FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of a screenoperating device relating to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0120]FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of tap menu modeprocessing in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0121]FIG. 20 is a screen example, corresponding to FIG. 8, in a secondmenu display state at the time of tap menu mode processing which is onespecific processing.

[0122]FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of a screenoperating device relating to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0123]FIG. 22 is a plan view of a controller, corresponding to FIG. 3,to which labeling of the tap menu mode has been applied.

[0124]FIG. 23 is a plan view of a controller equipped with a detectingmeans of a screen operating device relating to a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0125]FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the screenoperating device relating to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0126]FIG. 25 is a screen example of a map display screen serving as afirst screen.

[0127]FIG. 26 is an example of the map display screen in a case in whicha region other than a function switching portion is selected.

[0128]FIG. 27 is an example of the map display screen in a state inwhich a selection portion is selected after a region other than afunction switching portion has been selected.

[0129]FIG. 28 is a screen example of an air conditioning operationscreen serving as a second screen.

[0130]FIG. 29 is a screen example of the air conditioning operationscreen in a state in which a selection portion which corresponds to thefunction switching portion which was selected in the first screen, isreversed.

[0131]FIG. 30 is a screen example of the air conditioning operationscreen in a state in which another selection portion is selected.

[0132]FIG. 31 is a screen example of an audio operation screen servingas a second screen.

[0133]FIG. 32 is a screen example of the audio operation screen in astate in which a selection portion, which corresponds to the functionswitching portion which was selected in the first screen, is reversed.

[0134]FIG. 33 is a screen example of the audio operation screen in astate in which another selection portion is selected.

[0135]FIG. 34 is a screen example of a vehicle state confirmation screenserving as a second screen.

[0136]FIG. 35 is a screen example of the vehicle state confirmationscreen in a state in which a selection portion, which corresponds to thefunction switching portion which was selected in the first screen isreversed.

[0137]FIG. 36 is a screen example of the vehicle state confirmationscreen in a state in which another selection portion is selected.

[0138]FIG. 37 is a screen example corresponding to FIG. 25, and showinga modified example of the present embodiment.

[0139]FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of a screenoperating device relating to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0140]FIG. 39 is a flowchart at the time of data movement (high speedscrolling) processing.

[0141]FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a flow modified example of controlof the screen operating device relating to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0142]FIG. 41 is a screen example at the time of starting-up a mapdisplay program.

[0143]FIG. 42 is a screen example at the time of data movement (highspeed scrolling) at the time of starting-up the map display program.

[0144]FIG. 43 is a screen example at the time of decelerated scrollingat the time of starting-up the map display program.

[0145]FIG. 44 is a screen example at the time of starting-up aregistered mark search program.

[0146]FIG. 45 is a screen example corresponding to FIG. 12, and showinga state in which reversing processing of a selection button has beencarried out.

[0147]FIG. 46 is a screen example in a case in which usual scrolling hasbeen carried out at the time of starting-up the registered mark searchprogram.

[0148]FIG. 47 is a screen example at the time of data movement (highspeed scrolling) at the time of starting-up the registered mark searchprogram.

[0149]FIG. 48 is a screen example at the time of starting up asearch-by-genre program.

[0150]FIG. 49 is a screen example corresponding to FIG. 16, and showinga state in which reversing processing of a selection button has beencarried out.

[0151]FIG. 50 is a screen example immediately before start of datamovement (high speed scrolling) of large classification data.

[0152]FIG. 51 is a screen example after the start of data movement (highspeed scrolling) of the large classification data.

[0153]FIG. 52 is a screen example immediately before start of datamovement (high speed scrolling) of intermediate classification data.

[0154]FIG. 53 is a screen example after the start of data movement (highspeed scrolling) of the intermediate classification data.

[0155]FIG. 54 is a screen example immediately before start of datamovement (high speed scrolling) of small classification data.

[0156]FIG. 55 is a screen example after the start of data movement (highspeed scrolling) of the small classification data.

BEST MODES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0157] <Structure of First Embodiment>

[0158] The schematic external appearance of a car navigation device 10having, as a function thereof, a screen operating device for a vehiclerelating to a first embodiment of the present invention, is shown inFIG. 1. The structure of the present car navigation device 10 is shownby a block diagram in FIG. 2.

[0159] As shown in these drawings, the present car navigation device 10is equipped with a device main body 12 which is accommodated, forexample, in an accommodating portion (not shown) formed at theinstrument panel of a vehicle. An opening portion 16 is formed in anouter wall portion 14 of the device main body 12. A window 18, which istransparent or which has been colored such that infrared light can passtherethrough, is fit in. An infrared ray light-receiving portion 20shown in FIG. 2 is provided at the inner side of the device main body 12via this opening portion 16.

[0160]FIG. 54 is a screen example immediately before start of datamovement (high speed scrolling) of small classification data.

[0161]FIG. 55 is a screen example after the start of data movement (highspeed scrolling) of the small classification data.

[0162] Best Modes for Implementing the Invention

[0163] <Structure of First Embodiment>

[0164] The schematic external appearance of a car navigation device 10having, as a function thereof, a screen operating device relating to afirst embodiment of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 1. Thestructure of the present car navigation device 10 is shown by a blockdiagram in FIG. 2.

[0165] As shown in these drawings, the present car navigation device 10is equipped with a device main body 12 which is accommodated, forexample in an accommodating portion (not shown) formed at the instrumentpanel of a vehicle. An opening portion 16 is formed in an outer wallportion 14 of the device main body 12. A window 18, which is transparentor which has been colored such that infrared light can passtherethrough, is fit in. An infrared ray light-receiving portion 20shown in FIG. 2 is provided at the inner side of the device main body 12via this opening portion 16.

[0166] The infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 is connected to acontrol section 22 serving as a control means such as a CPU or the likeprovided at the interior of the device main body 12, and transmits, tothe control section 22, an electrical signal corresponding to a receivedinfrared ray signal. On the other hand, the control section 22 isconnected to a storage medium 24 provided at the interior of the devicemain body 12 or at the exterior of the device main body 12, and readsvarious programs stored in the storage medium 24 and processes andexecutes them.

[0167] Further, the control section 22 is connected to a monitor device26 serving as an outputting means, via a connecting means such as a flatcable or the like. The results of processing and the results ofexecution at the control section 22 can be displayed.

[0168] Concretely, in the present embodiment, when, for example, thecontrol section 22 reads a car navigation program from the storagemedium 24, as shown in FIG. 8, the control section 22 expands map dataor the like as a main screen.

[0169] Further, when, for example, the control section 22 executes usualtrace mode processing, which will be described later, in the carnavigation program from the storage medium 24, as shown in FIG. 9, thecontrol section 22 displays a plurality of selection buttons 32, 34, 36,38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 in a matrix form (four lines andthree columns in the present embodiment) on the aforementioned mapscreen, and displays labels, such as the names or the like of theprocessings or functions which can be executed or started-up from themain menu, at the respective selection buttons 32•54.

[0170] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present carnavigation device 10 is equipped with a controller 70 serving as aninput means. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a substantially rectangularopening portion 80 is formed in an upper bottom portion 76 of an uppercase 74 forming a case 76 of the controller 70. A panel 84 serving as anoperation surface forming a panel switch 82, is provided at the case 76so as to correspond to the opening portion 80. The outer peripheralconfiguration of the panel 84 is formed in a substantially rectangularflat plate shape corresponding to the opening portion 80.

[0171] A substrate 86 is disposed substantially parallel beneath thepanel 84. Wiring, such as print wires or the like, is provided at atleast either one of the obverse and the reverse surface of the substrate86, and a CPU 88 and a battery 90, as well as electrical parts such asresistors and capacitors and the like, are electrically connected to thesubstrate 86 by the aforementioned wiring.

[0172] The substrate 86 is fixed to the case 76 either directly orindirectly by an unillustrated holding means. Further, compression coilsprings 92 are disposed on the substrate 86, and support the panel 84 ina state of urging the panel 84 toward the opening portion 80 side, suchthat the panel 84 is able to approach and move away from the substrate86. Moreover, stoppers 94 are formed at the upper case 74. The stoppers94 are engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the panel 84, andthe panel 84 is held so as to be separated by a predetermined distanceor more from the substrate 86.

[0173] Further, push switches 96 serving as pressing force detectingmeans are provided between the panel 84 and the substrate 86. A mainbody 98 of the push switch 96 is equipped with an unillustrated fixedcontact This fixed contact is electrically connected to the wiring ofthe substrate 86.

[0174] On the other hand, a movable portion 100 provided at the mainbody 98 is movable with respect to the main body 98 in substantially thesame directions as the directions of the panel 84 approaching and movingaway with respect to the substrate 86. At least one portion of themovable portion 100 moves into the main body 98 by moving in thedirection of approaching the substrate 86. Further, an unillustratedmovable contact is provided at the movable portion 100. When the movableportion 100 is moved in the direction of approaching the substrate 86,the movable contact contacts the fixed contact of the main body 98 andbecomes continuous, and due to the movable portion 100 moving away fromthe substrate 86, the continuity with the fixed contact is cancelled.

[0175] Further, the side of the movable portion 100 opposite the mainbody 98 abuts the reverse surface of the panel 84. Accordingly, due tothe panel 84 approaching the substrate 86, the movable portion 100approaches the substrate 86, and the movable contact of the movableportion 100 contacts the fixed contact of the main body 98.

[0176] Moreover, an infrared ray light-emitting element 102 is disposedat the reverse surface side of the substrate 86 in a vicinity of theouter peripheral portion. The infrared light-emitting element 102 iselectrically connected to the aforementioned CPU 88 and battery 90 andemits an infrared ray signal L on the basis of the signal from the CPU88. An opening portion 106 is formed in a side wall 104 of a lower case72 forming the case 76, so as to correspond to this infrared raylight-emitting element 102. A window 108, which is transparent or iscolored to the extent that infrared rays can pass therethrough, isfit-in into this opening portion 106. The infrared ray signal L emittedat the infrared ray light-emitting element 102 passes through the window108, exits to the exterior of the case 76, passes through thepreviously-mentioned window 18 of the device main body 12, and isreceived by the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20.

[0177] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a sheet switch 110 servingas an operating body detecting means or a position detecting means, isplaced at the obverse side of the panel 84. As shown in FIG. 5, thesheet switch 110 is equipped with a pair of base portions 112, 114. Thebase portions 112, 114 are each formed, for example, in a sheet shapewhich is substantially rectangular as seen in plan view, from aninsulating synthetic. resin material. At least the base portion 114 isset to a rigidity of an extent which can be elastically deformed bypressing force of a predetermined magnitude or more (e.g., the extent ofa person lightly pressing with his/her finger). Further, the baseportion 112 is connected, at the end portion thereof at one transversedirection side (the right side in FIG. 5) thereof, to the end portion atthe other transverse direction side (the left side in FIG. 5) of thebase portion 114. The base portion 112 can rotate relative to the baseportion 114, with a connecting portion 116 between the base portion 112and the base portion 114 being the axis.

[0178] Further, a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of lineterminals 122, 124, 126, 128, 132, 134, 136 are formed on the obverse ofthe base portion 112.

[0179] The line terminals 122•128 are long along the transversedirection of the base portion 112, and the line terminals 132•136 arethe longitudinal direction of the base portion 114.

[0180] Further, these line terminals 122•136 are connected, viaconnecting lines 142, to a connector portion 140 provided at the baseportion 112, and are connected to the CPU 88 via the connector portion140.

[0181] The base portion 112 and the base portion 114 are folded over atthe connecting portion 116 such that the obverses thereof face oneanother. In this way, as shown by the two-dot chain lines on the baseportion 112 in FIG. 5, the line terminals 132•136 are substantiallyorthogonal to the line terminals 122•128, and the line terminals 122•136overall form a lattice form. In this state, when any of the lineterminals 122•128 and any of the line terminals 132•136 contact oneanother and become continuous, this continuity is detected by the CPU88.

[0182] Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a plurality of touchportions 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172 areformed at the reverse surface of the base portion 114 (i.e., the obverseof the sheet switch 110).

[0183] These touch portions 150•172 form a four-line, three-columnmatrix shape on the whole, and respectively correspond to the points ofintersection of the line terminals 132•136 and the line terminals122•128 in plan view. Accordingly, it is a structure in which, due tothe surface of the sheet switch 110 (i.e., the obverse of the baseportion 114) being pressed at one portion of these touch portions150•172, at that portion, one of the line terminals 132•136 and one ofthe line terminals 122•128 become continuous. Namely, it is one type ofcriterion of the pressing portion.

[0184] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, labels are displayed on the reversesurface of the base portion 114 (i.e., the obverse of the sheet switch110) in correspondence with all of or some of these touch portions150•172 (in the present embodiment, the touch portions 150•172 exceptfor the touch portions 152, 158, 164). These labels mean the respectiveprocessings in a direct entry mode which will be described later.

[0185] Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, all ofthese labels are formed by characters. However, basically, it sufficesfor the labels to be structured such that the names or the contents orthe like of the respective processings in the direct entry mode can beunderstood by being looked at, e.g., various types of symbols (includingpicture symbols) other than characters can be used. Further, as shown inFIG. 23, it is possible to not form labels.

[0186] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of projections 144 areformed on the obverse of the base portion 112. These projections 144 arepositioned at the sides of the line terminals 122•128, and at the sidesof the line terminals 132•136 in a state in which the line terminals132•136 oppose the obverse of the base portion 112. The projections 144hold the base portion 114 in a state in which the obverse of the baseportion 114 is separated by a predetermined distance from the obverse ofthe base portion 112, in a state of being folded over around theconnecting portion 116. Thus, in the usual state, the line terminals122•128 and the line terminals 132•136 are separated from one another.

Operation, Effects of First Embodiment Summary of Operation ofController 70

[0187] Next, before explaining the overall operation and effects of thepresent embodiment, the operation of the controller 70 will be brieflydescribed.

[0188] In the present embodiment, when, for example the touch portion160 among the touch portions 150•172 on the sheet switch 110 which arein vicinities of the points of intersection of any of the line terminals122•128 and the line terminals 132•136 as seen in a plan view of thecontroller 70 (i.e., in the state shown in FIG. 3), is touched and thesheet switch 110 is pressed, at the touch portion 160, the base portion114 forming the sheet switch 110 elastically deforms. In this way, theline terminal 124 and the line terminal 136, whose point of intersectionis in a vicinity of the touch portion 160, contact and becomecontinuous. However because the base portion 114 is supported by theprojections 144 in vicinities of the touch portions 150•172 except forthe touch portion 160, the line terminals 122•136 do not contact oneanother and become continuous.

[0189] The continuity (continuity signal) of the line terminal 124 andthe line terminal 136 is detected by the CPU 88. The CPU 88, which hasdetected this continuity, emits a light-emission signal in order to makethe infrared ray light-emitting element 102 transmit (emit) the infraredray signal L corresponding to the aforementioned continuity from amongthe plural types of infrared ray signals L. The infrared ray signal L,which is emitted from the infrared ray light-emitting element 102 inaccordance with receipt of the light-emission signal, is received at theinfrared ray light-receiving portion 20 of the device main body 12, andfurther, the control section 22 receives an electrical signal serving asa position detection signal based on the infrared ray signal L which theinfrared ray light-receiving portion 20 received. Note that,hereinafter, the electrical signal which the control section 22 receivesfrom the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 on the basis of theinfrared ray signal L at the time when one of the line terminals 122•128and one of the line terminals 132•136 become continuous, will be calleda “touch signal” for convenience.

[0190] On the other hand, when the panel 84 is pressed via the sheetswitch 110 in a state in which an operator touches the reverse surfaceof the base portion 114 of the sheet switch 110 with his/her finger, thepanel 84 moves, and the movable contact of the movable portion 110 andthe fixed contact of the main body 98 of the push switch 96 becomecontinuous. The continuity of the movable contact of the movable portion100 and the fixed contact of the main body 98 is detected by the CPU 88.When the CPU 88 detects this, the CPU 88 makes the infrared ray signalL, which is based on the continuity signal of the movable contact of themovable portion 100 and the fixed contact of the main body 98, beemitted from the infrared ray light-emitting element 102.

[0191] The infrared ray signal L, which is emitted from the infrared raylight-emitting element 102 in this way, is received by the infrared raylight-receiving portion 20 of the device main body 12, and further, thecontrol section 22 receives an electrical signal serving as a pressingforce detection signal corresponding to the infrared ray signal L whichthe infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 has received. Note that,hereinafter, the electrical signal which the control section 22 receivesfrom the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 on the basis of theinfrared ray signal L at the time when the movable contact of themovable portion 100 and the fixed contact of the main body 98 at thepush switch 96 become continuous, will be called a “click signal” forconvenience.

[0192] (Operation, Effects of Function Selection Processing)

[0193] Next, the operation and effects relating to the functionselection processing for selecting various types of processings andfunctions at the present car navigation device 10 will be described onthe basis of the flowcharts in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0194] In the present car navigation device 10, at step 200, when a carnavigation program is read by the control section 22 from the storagemedium 24, for example, map data is, by the control section 22, readfrom the storage medium 24 and expanded. As an example, the map shown inFIG. 8 is displayed on the monitor device 26.

[0195] Next, in step 202, initial setting processing is carried out. Inthe initial setting processing of step 202, a flag F1 and a timer (timerprogram) are reset. From this state, in step 204, it is judged, by thecontrol section 22, whether or not the control section 22 has receivedan electrical signal from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20from the infrared ray light-emitting element 102 (the controller 70)(whether or not an electrical signal has been inputted to the controlsection 22) Here, for example, if a finger or the like has not touchedthe above-described sheet switch 100 and therefore none of the lineterminals 122•136 are continuous, a touch signal is not sent (outputted)from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20. Accordingly, in thisstate, the routine returns as is to step 202. In a sense, this state isa signal standby state until a touch signal is received.

[0196] In contrast, when it is judged in step 204 that a touch signalhas been received, in step 206, the timer (timer program) is actuated,and clocking is started. Next, in step 208, it is judged whether or nota click signal has been received. If a click signal has been received,in step 210, 1 is substituted in for the flag F1, and the routineproceeds to step 212. If a click signal has not been received, theroutine proceeds to step 212 without going through step 210.

[0197] In step 212, it is judged whether or not an elapsed time T fromthe time the timer started clocking has exceeded a set time TA which hasbeen set in advance. Note that this set time TA is not particularlylimited. However, basically, it suffices to set the set time TA to alength of an extent such that the operator will not have an unpleasantfeeling such as an operation delay or the like. Empirically, this lengthis preferably about 0.2 to 0.4 seconds. If the elapsed time T has notexceeded the set time TA in step 212, the routine returns to step 208.

[0198] If it is judged in step 212 that the elapsed time T has exceededthe set time TA, in step 214, the elapsed time T is reset once. Next, instep 216, it is judged whether or not 1 has been substituted in for theflag F1, i.e., whether or not a click signal was received even one timeduring steps 208 through steps 212. If it is judged in step 216 that theflag F1 is still in the state of being reset, the routine proceeds tostep 218 and the usual trace mode processing is started.

[0199] Here, a flowchart of the usual trace mode processing is shown inFIG. 7.

[0200] When the usual trace mode processing is started in step 250,first, in step 252, display processing of a main menu, which correspondsto what is called in the claims a predetermined screen, is carried out.In this display processing of the main menu, as shown in FIG. 9, aplurality of selection buttons 32•54 are displayed on the screen of themonitor device 26 in a matrix form of four lines and three columns.Further, characters or symbols (including picture symbols) meaning thenames, abbreviations, summaries of the functions, or the like of theprocessings and the functions which can be carried out in continuationfrom the main menu are displayed at the respective selection buttons32•54. Thus, by looking at the labels, the processings and functionswhich can be carried out next from the main menu can be confirmed.

[0201] Next, in step 254, the touch signal, which is immediately beforethis usual trace mode processing is carried out, is processed. In thistouch signal processing, for example, if the touch signal, which isimmediately before the usual trace mode processing is carried out, is atouch signal corresponding to the touch portion 154 (i.e., a touchsignal in a case in which the line terminal 122 and the line terminal136 are continuous), among the selection buttons 32•54 disposed in thematrix form of four lines and three columns, the selection button 32,which corresponds to the line and column position of the touch portion154 among the touch portions 150•172 similarly provided in a matrix formof four lines and three columns, is reverse-displayed. In a case inwhich it is decided upon as is, it is shown that the processing or thefunction of the label displayed at this selection button 32 is to beexecuted (see FIG. 10).

[0202] When the touch signal processing has been completed, in step 256,a judgement is made as to whether or not the control section 22 hasreceived an electrical signal from the infrared ray light-receivingportion 20 after having moved to the usual trace mode processing. Here,if a touch signal or a click signal has not been received after movingto the usual trace mode processing, the routine returns to step 254 asis.

[0203] In contrast, when it is judged in step 256 that the controlsection 22 has received an electrical signal from the infrared raylight-receiving portion 20, in step 258, processing of the receivedsignal is carried out. Further, in step 260, a judgement is made as towhether this signal is a touch signal or not if the signal at this timeis a click signal, in step 264, click signal processing is carried out.

[0204] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if the routine proceeds to step264 in a state in which the selection button 32 is reverse-displayed, asshown in FIG. 11, the color of the selection button 32 is changed to adifferent color, both in the state of being reverse-displayed and in thestate before being reverse-displayed (the usual state). Note that in thepresent embodiment, color changing of the selection button 32•54corresponding to the click signal processing (the selection button 32 inthe state shown in FIG. 11) was carried out. However, for example, thelabels corresponding to the selection buttons 34•54 other than theselection button 32 which is being reverse-displayed may be deleted fromthe screen of the monitor device 26 in the click signal processing.

[0205] Next, in step 266, processing corresponding to the labeldisplayed on that selection button 32•54 (the selection button 32 in thestate shown in FIG. 11) is executed, and the program of the functioncorresponding to the label is executed. In step 218, the series ofprocessings of the usual trace mode processing is carried out, and theroutine proceeds to step 220 in FIG. 6. In step 220, the flag F1 isreset, and the routine proceeds to step 222, and the series ofprocessings is completed. Note that, for example, when there is afurther menu screen in the program of the function started-up in step266 of FIG. 7, processing similar to the usual trace mode processing iscarried out, and by repeating such processing, the processing which isultimately desired is arrived at.

[0206] On the other hand, if it is judged in step 260 that the signalreceived in step 258 of FIG. 7 is a touch signal, the routine proceedsto step 262, and it is judged whether or not the received touch signalis the same signal as the touch signal which was received immediatelybefore receipt of this touch signal. Here, if they are judged to be thesame touch signal, the routine returns to step 256. If they are judgedto not be the same touch signal, touch signal processing is carried outin step 254 on the basis of this new touch signal.

[0207] As described above, in the usual trace mode processing, the mainmenu is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 26. Therefore, itis possible to reliably select the desired processing or function whileviewing the main menu.

[0208] Then, in step 216 of FIG. 6, when it is judged that 1 has beensubstituted in for the flag F1, i.e., when the control section 22 hasreceived a click signal even one time during the time until the elapsedtime T exceeded the set time TA, the routine proceeds to the directentry mode processing of steps 224, 226.

[0209] In this direct entry mode processing, first, in step 224, displayprocessing of the corresponding button corresponding to one of what iscalled specific processings in the claims, is carried out. In thiscorresponding button display processing, among the selection buttons32•54, only the selection button 32•54 corresponding to the touch signalimmediately before the direct entry mode processing is carried out isdisplayed on the monitor device 26 in the same way as the click signalreceiving processing in step 264 of FIG. 7.

[0210] Namely, for example, if the touch signal immediately before thedirect entry mode processing is carried out corresponds to the touchportion 154, among the selection buttons 32•54 which should be disposedin a matrix form of four lines and three columns, only the selectionbutton 32 corresponding to the touch portion 154 among the touchportions 150•172 which are similarly provided in a matrix form of fourlines and three columns, is displayed on the monitor device 26 (see FIG.12).

[0211] Further, at this time, the label corresponding to the displayedselection button 32 is displayed. However, the label data of the labelat this time is different from the label data at the time of theabove-described usual trace mode processing, and is strictly label dataat the time of the direct entry mode processing. This label data at thetime of the direct entry mode processing is the same as the labelsdisplayed at the respective touch portions 150•157 of the sheet switch110.

[0212] Further, the displayed selection button 32 and the labeldisplayed at this selection button 32 are displayed in a different colorin both the usual state and in the reversed-processed state at the timeof the usual trace mode processing (i.e., a state which is the same asafter the click signal processing at the time of the usual trace modeprocessing). Note that the present embodiment is structured such thatthe displayed selection button 32 and the label displayed at thisselection button 32 are displayed in a different color in the usualstate and in the reversed-processed state at the time of the usual tracemode processing. However, for example they may be displayed in the samestate as the usual state at the time of the usual trace mode processing,or may be reversed-processed. Further, although the reason therefor willbe described later, a structure in which the processing of step 224 isnot carried out, i.e., a structure in which the selection buttons 32•54and the labels are not displayed at the time of the direct entry modeprocessing, may be used.

[0213] Next, in step 226, the execution of the corresponding processing,which is the processing corresponding to what is called specificprocessing in the claims, or the starting-up of the correspondingfunction is carried out. In this step 266, the processing correspondingto the label displayed on the displayed selection button 32•54 (theselection button 32 in the state of FIG. 12) is executed, or the programof the function corresponding to the label is executed. In step 218, theseries of processings of the usual trace mode processing is carried out,and the routine proceeds to step 220 f FIG. 6.

[0214] In this way, in the present embodiment, the processing can moveto the direct entry mode processing due to, after any of the touchportions 150•172 has been touched and one of the line terminals 122•128and one of the line terminals 132•136 have become continuous, themovable contact of the movable portion 100 and the fixed contact of themain body 98 of the push switch 96 being made to be continuous via thesheet switch 110 and the panel 84 within the set time TA (i.e.,immediately).

[0215] Thus, if it is a processing which can be executed or a functionwhich can be started-up in the direct entry mode processing, even if theprocessing or the function is not selected by looking at the monitordevice 26, the desired processing or function can be executedimmediately. Thus, it is possible to prevent or lessen the unpleasantfeeling which the operator may have due to a processing delay or thelike or display on the monitor device 26 which is not particularlyneeded at the present.

[0216] Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the namesor the like of the processings and functions at the time of the directentry mode processing are displayed on the sheet switch 110. Therefore,if operation is carried out while viewing the sheet switch 110, even ifthe direct entry mode processing has started, the desired processing orfunction can be reliably executed without looking at and confirming themonitor device 26.

[0217] Note that the present embodiment was structured such that theroutine proceeds to the direct entry mode processing of steps 226, 228due to a click signal being received within the set time TA from receiptof the touch signal. However, a structure may be used in which theroutine proceeds to the direct entry mode processing of steps 226, 228in a case in which the finger is moved away from the sheet switch 110within the set time TA from receipt of the touch signal and a statearises in which the control section 22 does not receive either the touchsignal or the click signal. In this case as well, basically the sameeffects as the above-described effects can be obtained.

[0218] <Second Embodiment>

[0219] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed. Note that, in the following respective embodiments, featuresdifferent than the above-described first embodiment have merely beenadded to the function selection processing, and the mechanical structureis the same as the above-described first embodiment. Therefore,description of the structure will be omitted.

[0220] Further, the operations and effects of the respective embodimentsdescribed hereinafter will be explained by using flowcharts ofrespective drawings. However, in these flowcharts, processings which arebasically the same as the respective steps in the flowcharts of FIG. 6and FIG. 7 which were used in explaining the above-described firstembodiment, are denoted by the same step numbers and description thereofis omitted.

[0221] A flowchart showing the function selection processing in thesecond embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 13. Theoperation and effects of the present embodiment will be described on thebasis of this drawing.

[0222] In the present embodiment, in step 300, when a car navigationprogram is read from the storage medium 24 and executed by the controlsection 22, as an example, the map shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on themonitor device 26.

[0223] Next, in step 302, respective flags F1, F2, F3 and a timer (timerprogram) are reset. From this state, the routine goes through steps 204,206 and reaches step 208, and in step 208, a judgement is made as towhether or not a click signal from the infrared ray light-receivingportion 20 has been received by the control section 22.

[0224] However, in the present embodiment, if it is judged in this step208 that a click signal has not been received, the routine proceeds tostep 304.

[0225] In step 304, it is judged whether or not a touch signal has beenreceived since the timer started in step 206. If a touch signal has beenreceived, in step 306, 1 is substituted in for the flag F2, and theroutine proceeds to step 212. Further, if it is judged in step 304 thata touch signal has not been received, in step 308, it is judged whetheror not 1 has been substituted in for the flag F2. If it is judged instep 308 that the flag F2 remains reset, 1 is substituted in for theflag P3 in step 310. If it is judged that 1 has been substituted in forthe flag F2, the routine proceeds to step 212 without going through step310.

[0226] Namely, in the present embodiment, 1 is substituted in for theflag F1 if a click signal is received even one time during the period upuntil the elapsed time T from the start of the timer in step 206 hasexceeded the set time TA. Further, 1 is substituted in for the flag F3in a state in which a state in which a touch signal is not received isinterposed between the touch signal judged to be received in step 204and the touch signal judged to be received in step 304, i.e., if thesheet switch 110 is touched twice instantaneously and the touch signalis received twice instantaneously.

[0227] However, in a case in which it is judged in step 304 as well thata touch signal has been received due to the touch signal judged to bereceived in step 204 being continuously received, 1 is substituted infor the flag P2. Thus, 1 is not substituted in for the flag P3.

[0228] On the other hand, after the elapsed time T exceeds the set timeTA and the routine proceeds from step 212 to step 214 and the elapsedtime T is reset in step 214, it is judged in step 216 whether or not 1has been substituted in for the flag F1. However, in the presentembodiment, when it is judged in step 216 that the flag F1 remainsreset, the routine proceeds to step 312, and it is judged whether or not1 has been substituted in for the f lag F3.

[0229] When it is judged in step 312 that the flag F3 remains reset, instep 218, the usual trace mode processing is carried out. However, whenit is judged in step 312 that 1 has been substituted in for the flag F3,the routine proceeds to step 310, and tap menu mode processing iscarried out.

[0230] Here, a flowchart of the tap menu mode processing is shown inFIG. 14. As shown in this figure, when the tap menu mode processing isstarted in step 350, first, display processing of a first menu, whichcorresponds to one of what is called specific processings in the claims,is carried out in step 352.

[0231] In the display processing of the first menu, as shown in FIG. 9,a plurality of selection buttons 32•54 are displayed on the screen ofthe monitor device 26, and further, the labels corresponding to therespective selection buttons 32•54 are displayed. These labels arecharacters or symbols (including picture symbols) which mean the names,abbreviations, summaries of the functions, or the like of theprocessings and functions which can be carried out in continuation fromthe first menu. By viewing the labels, the processings and functionswhich can be carried out in continuation from the first menu can beconfirmed.

[0232] However, the label data of the labels at the time of executingthe tap menu mode processing all are the same as or correspond to thelabels displayed on the respective touch portions 150•172 of the sheetswitch 110. Moreover, the line and column positions of the labelsdisplayed at the respective selection buttons 32•54 are the same as theline and column positions of the labels displayed at the respectivetouch portions 150•172.

[0233] Next, in step 354, flags F4, F5 are reset. Moreover, in step 356,it is judged whether or not an electrical signal from the infrared raylight-receiving portion 20 has been received since the present tap menumode processing is executed.

[0234] In regard thereto, when it is judged in step 356 that a touchsignal has been received, in step 358, the timer (timer program) isoperated, and clocking is started. Next, in step 360, it is judgedwhether or not a touch signal has been received again after the touchsignal judged to be received in step 356. If a touch signal has beenreceived, in step 362, 1 is substituted in for the flag F4, and theroutine proceeds to step 364.

[0235] In step 364, it is judged whether or not a click signal has beenreceived after the touch signal which was judged to be received in step356. If a click signal has been received, in step 366, 1 is substitutedin for the flag F5. If it is judged in step 360 that a touch signal hasnot been received or if it is judged in step 364 that a click signal hasnot been received, the routine proceeds from step 360 or step 364directly to step 368, without going through step 362 or step 366.

[0236] In step 368, it is judged whether or not the elapsed time T fromthe start of the timer clocking has exceeded the set time TA which wasset in advance. Note that this set time TA is not particularly limited.However, basically, it suffices to set the set time TA to a length of anextent such that the operator will not experience a sense of unease suchas an operation delay or the like. Empirically, this length ispreferably about 0.2 to 0.4 seconds. Further, the set time TA in thepresent direct entry mode processing may be the same as or may bedifferent than the set time TA before moving to the direct entry modeprocessing (the flowchart in FIG. 13).

[0237] When it is judged in step 368 that the elapsed time T hasexceeded the set time TA, in step 370, the elapsed time T is reset once.Then, in step 372, it is judged whether or not 1 has been substituted infor the flag F5, i.e., whether or not a click signal has been receivedeven one time up until the time the elapsed time T from the start of thetimer in step 358 has exceeded the set time TA.

[0238] When it is judged in step 372 that the flag F5 is still reset, instep 374, it is judged whether or not 1 has been substituted in for theflag F4, i.e., whether or not a touch signal has been received even onetime up until the time the elapsed time T from the start of the timer instep 358 has exceeded the set time TA when it is judged in step 374 that1 has been substituted in for the flag F4, touch signal processing iscarried out in step 376. In the touch signal processing of this step374, for example, if the touch signal which is finally received is atouch signal corresponding to the touch portion 154, the selectionbutton 32 corresponding thereto is reverse-displayed (see FIG. 16).

[0239] Note that, although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 inparticular, if, at the time of this touch signal processing, one of theselection buttons 32•54 is already reverse-displayed and processing ofthe same selection button 32•54 (the selection button 32 in the stateshown in FIG. 16) is to be carried out in the new touch signalprocessing as well, the routine proceeds as is to step 354 withoutcarrying out the new touch signal processing.

[0240] On the other hand, if it is judged in step 372 that a clicksignal has been received, click signal processing is carried out in step378. In the click signal processing in this step 378, for example, ifthe touch signal received immediately before receipt of the click signalis a touch signal corresponding to the touch portion 154, as shown inFIG. 17, the selection button 32 corresponding to the touch portion 154is changed to a different color in both the usual state (see FIG. 15)and the state of being reverse-displayed (see FIG. 16).

[0241] Note that, in the present embodiment, changing of the color ofthe corresponding selection button 32•54 (the selection button 32 in thestate of FIG. 17) is carried out in the click signal processing.However, for example, the selection buttons 34•54 other than theselection button 32 which is being reverse-displayed, and the labelsdisplayed in correspondence with these selection buttons 34•54, may bedeleted from the screen of the monitor device 26 in the click signalprocessing.

[0242] Next, in step 380, the processing corresponding to the labeldisplayed at the corresponding selection button 32•54 (the selectionbutton 32 in the state of FIG. 17) is executed, or the program of thefunction corresponding to the label is executed. Next, in step 382, theflag F3 is reset and in step 384, the series of processings of the tapmenu mode processing is ended, and the routine proceeds to step 316shown in FIG. 13. In step 316, the respective flags F1, F2, F3 arereset, and in step 318, the series of processings is ended.

[0243] In contrast, when it is judged in step 372 that the flag F5 isstill reset, and furthermore it is judged in step 374 that the flag F4is still reset, i.e., when the control section 22 has not receivedeither a touch signal or a click signal after the touch signal judged tobe received in step 356 (in other words, when the sheet switch 110 hasbeen touched instantaneously only one time), the routine proceeds tostep 382 without going through steps 378, 380.

[0244] Namely, when the sheet switch 110 is touched instantaneously onlyone time before the timer starts in step 358, in a sense, the tap menumode processing is cancelled, and the routine returns to the originalprocessing shown in FIG. 13.

[0245] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the tap menumode processing is executed, the first menu is displayed on the monitordevice 26, and by this display of the first menu, the labels showing allof the processing or functions which can be carried out in the directentry mode processing are displayed on the monitor device 26 togetherwith the selection buttons 32•54. Thus, in the same way as in the usualtrace mode processing, the desired processing or function can beselected reliably while looking at the first menu.

[0246] Moreover, in the first menu, the same display as the labelsdisplayed on the sheet switch 110 is carried out on the monitor device26. Therefore, operation can be carried out even without looking at thecontroller 70 (the sheet switch 110). In this way, by putting the tapmenu processing to practical use, it is possible to grow accustomed tothe direct entry mode processing.

[0247] Further, in the present embodiment, by touching the sheet switch110 two times instantaneously with the finger, it is possible to move tothe tap menu mode processing. Further, at the time of executing the tapmenu mode processing, by touching the sheet switch 110 one timeinstantaneously with the finger, it is possible to cancel the tap menumode processing.

[0248] Namely, in the same way as in the case of carrying out the directentry mode processing and at the time of moving to the usual trace modeprocessing, it can be carried out merely by operating the sheet switch110. Thus, the operability is good, and furthermore, even if such tapmenu mode processings are added, it suffices to not add buttons or thelike at the controller 70.

[0249] Note that the present embodiment was structured such that the tapmenu mode processing is moved to by touching the sheet switch 110 twotimes instantaneously with the finger. However, the number of times oftouching by the finger is not limited to two times.

[0250] Further, similarly, the number of times of touching the sheetswitch 110 by the finger at the time of canceling the tap menu modeprocessing is not limited to one time.

[0251] Moreover, for example, a structure may be used in which a switchor button used exclusively for canceling is provided at the controller70, and canceling is carried out by operating it. A structure may beused in which characters or symbols (including picture symbols) meaningcancel are displayed at one of the selection buttons 32•54 displayed inthe first menu, and the tap menu mode processing is cancelled by theprocessings of steps 378, 380 being carried out in a state in which thisselection button 32•54 is selected.

[0252] Further, the present embodiment is structured to judge in step304 or step 360 that a touch signal has been received even if the touchsignal is a touch signal which is different from the touch signal judgedto be received in step 204 or step 356, regardless of which of the touchportions 150•172 the touch signal judged in step 304 or step 360corresponds to.

[0253] However, a structure may be used in which, for example, a touchsignal is judged to be received in step 304 or step 360 only in cases inwhich it is the same touch signal as the touch signal judged to bereceived in step 204 or step 356.

[0254] Further, the present embodiment was structured such that the tapmode menu processing is moved to and the first menu is displayed whenthe sheet switch 110 is touched two times instantaneously by the finger.However, in addition thereto, a structure may be used in which, when thesheet switch 110 is touched by a finger instantaneously by apredetermined number of times which is three or more times, for example,the tap menu mode processing is moved to, but a second menu which isdifferent than the first menu is displayed.

[0255] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the set time TA basically isunchangeable. However, a structure may be used in which, for example,when there is a state in which no signal is received between the touchsignal, which is judged to be received in step 204 or step 356, and thetouch signal, which is judged to be received in step 304 or step 360,the period of time of the state of no receipt is also measured, andthereafter, the set time TA is automatically changed on the basis of thelength thereof.

[0256] <Third Embodiment>

[0257] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

[0258] Flowcharts showing the function selection processing in thepresent embodiment are shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19. The operation andeffects of the present embodiment will be described on the basis ofthese figures.

[0259] In the present embodiment when the car navigation program isexecuted in step 400, the same processings as in the above-describedsecond embodiment up to step 312 are carried out. In step 312, when itis judged that 1 has been substituted in for the flag F3, the tap menumode processing is carried out in step 402.

[0260] Here, the tap menu mode processing of the present embodiment isshown by the flowchart in FIG. 19. As is shown in this figure, when tapmenu mode processing is executed in step 400, in the same way as in theabove-described second embodiment, display processing of the first menu,which corresponds to one of what is called specific processings in theclaims, is carried out in step 352.

[0261] Next, in step 452, the flags F4, F5, F6 are reset, and further,in step 356, it is judged whether or not an electrical signal from theinfrared ray light-receiving portion 20 has been received. When it isjudged in step 356 that a touch signal has been received, in step 358,the timer (timer program) is operated, and clocking is started.

[0262] Next, in step 360, it is judged whether or not a touch signal hasbeen received again after the touch signal which was judged to bereceived in step 356. When it is judged that a touch signal has beenreceived, in step 362, 1 is substituted in for the flag F4, and theroutine proceeds to step 364. On the other hand, when it is judged instep 360 that a touch signal has not been received, the routine proceedsto step 368.

[0263] Further, in step 364, it is judged whether or not a click signalhas been received after the touch signal judged to be received in step356. When it is judged in step 364 that a click signal has beenreceived, in step 366, 1 is substituted in for the flag F5, andthereafter, the routine proceeds to step 368.

[0264] On the other hand, when it is judged in step 364 that a clicksignal has not been received, in step 454, it is judged whether or not 1has been substituted in for the flag F5. When it is judged in step 454that the flag F5 is still reset, in step 456, 1 is substituted in forthe flag F6. Further, when is it judged in step 454 that 1 has beensubstituted in for the flag F5, the routine proceeds to step 368 withoutgoing through step 456.

[0265] Namely, in the present embodiment, 1 is substituted in for theflag F5 if a click signal has not been received even once during thetime until the elapsed time T from the start of the timer in step 358has exceeded the set time TA.

[0266] Further, 1 is substituted in for the flag F6 in a state in whicha state in which no touch signal has been received is interposed betweenthe touch signal judged to be received in step 356 and the touch signaljudged to be received in step 360, i.e., if the sheet switch 110 istouched two times instantaneously and the touch signal is received twotimes instantaneously. However, 1 is substituted in for the flag F5 in acase in which it is judged in step 356 as well that a touch signal hasbeen received, due to the touch signal, which was judged to be receivedin step 356, being received continuously. Therefore, 1 is notsubstituted in for the flag F6.

[0267] After the above-described respective types of judgementprocessings and the like have been carried out, in step 368, it isjudged whether or not the elapsed time T from the start of the timerclocking has exceeded the set time TA which was set in advance. Notethat this set time TA is not particularly limited. However, basically,it suffices to set the set time TA to a length of an extent such thatthe operator will not experience a sense of unease such as an operationdelay or the like. Empirically, this length is preferably about 0.2 to0.4 seconds.

[0268] Further, the set time TA at the time of the present direct entrymode processing may be the same as or may be different from the set timeTA before moving to the direct entry mode processing (the flowchart ofFIG. 18).

[0269] When it is judged in step 368 that the elapsed time T hasexceeded the set time TA, in step 370, the elapsed time T is reset once.Next, in step 372, it is judged whether or not 1 has been substituted infor the flag F5, i.e., whether or not a click signal has been receivedeven one time during the period from the start of the timer in step 358until the elapsed time T has exceeded the set time TA.

[0270] When it is judged in step 372 that the flag F5 is still reset, inthe same way as in the above-described second embodiment, theprocessings of steps 378, 380 are carried out. In step 458, the flagsF4, F5, F6 are reset, and the routine returns, via step 460, to theprocessings shown in FIG. 17.

[0271] On the other hand, when it is judged in step 372 that that flagF5 is still reset, in step 462, it is judged whether or not 1 has beensubstituted in for the flag F6. Here, if 1 is substituted in for theflag F6, i.e., if the sheet switch 110 has been touched two timesinstantaneously, in step 464, it is judged whether or not the currentscreen display of the monitor device 26 is the above-described firstmenu. When it is judged in step 464 that the current screen display ofthe monitor device 26 is the first menu, the routine proceeds to step458.

[0272] In contrast, when it is judged in step 464 that the currentscreen display is not the first menu, in step 466, previous menu displayprocessing, which corresponds to what is called a specific processing inthe claims, is carried out, and the display is changed to a menu screenwhich is one stage before the menu screen which is currently beingdisplayed (e.g., display is changed from the second menu of FIG. 20 tothe first menu of FIG. 15).

[0273] This previous menu display processing is basically the same asthe processing in above-described step 352, but the labels which arecurrently displayed are deleted, and labels (label data) which aredifferent than the deleted labels are displayed. Next, in step 468, therespective flags F4, F5, F6 are reset, and the routine returns to step356.

[0274] Further, when it is judged in step 462 that the flag F6 is stillreset, the routine proceeds to step 470, and it is judged whether or not1 has been substituted in for the flag F4.

[0275] In step 470, when 1 has not been substituted in for the flag F4,i.e., when the sheet switch 110 has been touched by a finger only onetime instantaneously, in step 472, next menu display processing, whichcorresponds to what is called a specific processing in the claims, iscarried out, and display is changed to a menu screen which is one stageafter the menu screen which is currently being displayed (e.g., displaychanges from the first menu shown in FIG. 15 to the second menu shown inFIG. 20).

[0276] This next menu processing is basically the same as the processingof above-described step 352, and the labels which are currentlydisplayed are deleted, and labels (label data) which are different thanthe deleted labels are displayed. Next, in step 468, the respectiveflags F4, F5, F6 are reset, and the routine returns to step 356.

[0277] On the other hand, when it is judged in step 470 that 1 has beensubstituted in for the flag F4, the routine proceeds to step 376 andtouch signal processing is carried out, and the routine further proceedsto step 468.

[0278] As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition toeffects which are the same as those of the above-described secondembodiment, display of the second menu or the like continuing after thefirst menu is possible, and a larger number of various types offunctions and various types of processings can be set.

[0279] Further, if the sheet switch 110 is touched one timeinstantaneously, display switches to the next menu, and if the sheetswitch 110 is touched two times instantaneously, display returns to theprevious menu. Thus, it suffices to not provide at the controller 70 aspecial switch or button for such menu feeding.

[0280] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0281] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

[0282] As shown in FIG. 21, in the function selection processing in thepresent embodiment, when the car navigation program is executed in step500, thereafter processings which are basically the same as theabove-described second embodiment are carried out.

[0283] However, in the present embodiment, when it is judged in step 312that 1 has been substituted in for the flag F3, the routine proceeds tostep 502 and processing of the touch signal is carried out.

[0284] In the processing of the touch signal in step 502, the touchsignals at the times when ones of the line terminals 122•128, 132•136are continuous are differentiated, and a first menu which is based onthe results of this differentiation is displayed on the monitor device26.

[0285] Namely, the present embodiment is structured such that it ispossible to display first menus which differ in accordance with the typeof the touch signal at the time of moving to the tap menu mode. In thisway, the first menus of various types of functions can be called upimmediately, and the operability can be improved, and in addition, aneven larger number of various types of functions and various types ofprocessings can be set.

[0286] Further, by combining the present embodiment and theabove-described third embodiment, an even larger number of various typesof functions and various types of processings can be set.

[0287] Moreover, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, by applying labelsfor the direct trace mode to the touch portions 150•172 of thecontroller 70, the first menu of which function (e.g., the first menu ofthe E-mail function or the television function, or the internetfunction) will be displayed by touching which portion can be easilyidentified. Further, as shown in FIG. 22, by enclosing the labels forthe tap menu by rectangles, they can be differentiated from the labelsfor direct entry, and confusion can be prevented.

[0288] Note that the present embodiment was structured such that firstmenus of various types of functions are displayed by touching the sheetswitch 110 two times instantaneously. However, for example, a structuremay be used in which, by touching the sheet switch 110 two timesinstantaneously, the first menu is not displayed but the correspondingprocessing is directly executed.

[0289] This is the same as the direct entry mode processing describeduntil now in that the corresponding processing is executed directly,although the conditions for moving which are “whether or not a clicksignal has been received even one time during the period until theelapsed time T exceeds the set time TA” and “whether or not the sheetswitch 110 has been touched two times instantaneously” are different.

[0290] By carrying out setting in this way, an even larger number ofdirect enter processings can be set, and the operability can beimproved. To further elucidate on this point, aspects which directlyexecute certain processings on the basis of specific conditions notlimited to conditions such as “whether or not a click signal has beenreceived even one time during the period until the elapsed time Texceeds the set time TA” or “whether or not the sheet switch 110 hasbeen touched two times instantaneously” or the like, can be defined as“direct enter processings”, and aspects which display the first menu andthe like of certain functions on the basis of other specific conditionscan be defined as “tap menu processings”.

[0291] <Fifth Embodiment>

[0292] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. Note that the first through fourth embodiments which weredescribed until now were structures in which the present invention isapplied to a car navigation device. However, the present embodiment isstructured such that the present invention is applied to a centercontrol unit for controlling not only car navigation functions, but alsoan air conditioning device and an audio device for a vehicle as well asa device for confirming the state of the vehicle.

[0293] Accordingly, when the control section 22 reads the car navigationprogram from the storage medium 24, as shown in FIG. 25, the controlsection 22 expands map data or the like as a main screen, and displaysfunction switching buttons 56, 57, 58 on the monitor device 26.

[0294] Further, when the control section 22 reads an air conditioningoperation program from the storage medium 24, as shown in FIG. 28, theplurality of selection buttons 32•54, at which are noted the names ofthe respective types of functions which an air conditioning device (notshown) mounted in the vehicle has, are displayed in a matrix form (fourlines and three columns in the present embodiment).

[0295] Further, when the control section 22 reads an audio operationprogram from the storage medium 24 as shown in FIG. 31, the plurality ofselection buttons 32•54, at which are noted the names of the respectivetypes of functions which an audio device (not shown) mounted in thevehicle has, are displayed in a matrix form (four lines and threecolumns in the present embodiment).

[0296] Moreover, when the control section 22 reads a vehicle stateconfirmation program from the storage medium 24, as shown in FIG. 34,the plurality of selection buttons 32•54, at which are noted the namesof the respective types of functions which this program mounted in thevehicle has, are displayed in a matrix form (four lines and threecolumns in the present embodiment).

[0297] Next, the operation and effects relating to screen switching inthe embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basisof the flowchart of FIG. 24.

[0298] First, as shown in FIG. 24, in step 600, when the control section22 reads the car navigation program from the storage medium 24 and thecar navigation program is started-up, initial setting processing iscarried out in step 602. In this initial setting processing, the flag F1and the timer (timer program) are reset. Further, in this state, the carnavigation program, which corresponds to what is called a “specialfunction” in the claims, is executed in parallel, and a map screenserving as a first screen based on the car navigation program isdisplayed on the monitor device 26, and the function switching buttons56•60 are displayed at positions corresponding to the touch portions150•154 on the sheet switch 110.

[0299] Next, in step 604, it is judged whether or not the controlsection 22 has received an electrical signal from the infrared raylight-receiving section 20. If the control section 22 has not received(has not bad inputted thereto) either a touch signal or a click signalthe routine proceeds to step 626, and it is judged whether or not 1 hasbeen substituted in for the flag F1. However, if it is immediately afterthe present car navigation program has started from step 600, it is astate in which the flag F1 is still reset, and therefore, the routinereturns to step 604.

[0300] In contrast, for example, when the control section 22 receives atouch signal, the routine proceeds from step 604 to step 606, and theelectrical signal from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 isprocessed. Next, in step 608, it is judged whether or not the electricalsignal processed in step 606 is a touch signal.

[0301] In this case, because the received signal is a touch signal, theroutine proceeds from step 608 to step 609. In step 609, it is judgedwhether or not the touch signal is a function switching signal.

[0302] Here, the functions for moving to the operation selection screenswhile the respective programs which are the audio operation program, theair conditioning operation program, and the vehicle state confirmationprogram are being started-up, are allotted to the respective functionswitching buttons 56•58. When the touch signal corresponding to thesefunction switching buttons 56•58, i.e., the touch signal when one of thetouch portions 150•154 is touched in this state, the touch signal thecontrol section 22 is inputted, the control section 22 recognizes thetouch signal at this time to be a function switching signal, and theroutine proceeds to step 624. In contrast, when it is judged that atouch signal, which is other than a touch signal corresponding to thefunction switching buttons 56, 58 (i.e., a function switching signal),has been received in the state in which the screen shown in FIG. 25 isdisplayed on the monitor device 26, the routine proceeds as is to step620, and processing of the touch signal is carried out.

[0303] For example, in the state shown in FIG. 25, when the controlsection 22 receives the touch signal corresponding to the touch portion156, as shown in FIG. 26, a plurality of arrow marks 61•68, which aredirected radially in respectively different directions, are displayed onthe map screen, and the three selection buttons 38, 46, 54 are displayedbeneath these arrow marks 61•68.

[0304] The arrow marks 61•68 are displayed in approximately three linesand three columns, including a circle mark displayed at the centerthereof, and correspond to the touch portions 150•166. Further, theselection buttons 38, 46, 54 correspond to the touch portions 168•172from the left side (i.e., from the selection button 54).

[0305] Further, in the state in which these arrow marks 61•68 andselection buttons 38, 46, 54 are displayed, because the touch signalwhich the control section 22 received immediately therebeforecorresponds to the touch signal of the touch portion 156, the arrow mark65 corresponding to this touch portion 156 is reverse-displayed, and itis shown that the arrow mark 65 is in a selected state.

[0306] When the above-described processings (the touch signalprocessings in this state) are completed in step 624, 1 is substitutedin for the flag F1, and the routine returns to step 604.

[0307] Thereafter, if a click signal and another touch signal are notreceived, the routine returns from step 618 to step 604 as is, and astandby state for another touch signal or click signal arises.

[0308] In this state, when a click signal is inputted to the controlsection 22 due to the panel 84 being pressed, the routine proceeds fromstep 608 to step 628. On the basis of the arrow mark 65 which is in aselected state, the map data structuring the map screen is moved on thewhole in the direction opposite the direction of the arrow mark 65, andapparently, the screen on the monitor device 26 is moved insubstantially the same direction as the arrow mark 65 with respect tothe displayed map screen.

[0309] In contrast, on the sheet switch 110, for example, when a fingerslides toward the touch portion 170 and the control section 22 receivesa touch signal corresponding to the touch portion 170 with a set time TSbeing exceeded, in step 620, as shown in FIG. 27, the reverse-display ofthe arrow mark 65 is cancelled, and the selection button 46corresponding to the touch portion 170 is reverse-displayed, and itshows that the selection button 46 is in a selected state.

[0310] In this state, when a click signal is inputted to the controlsection 22 due to the panel 84 being pressed, the routine proceeds fromstep 608 to step 628. Processing based on the display contents of theselection button 46 which is in a selected state (in the presentembodiment, map screen display centered around the current position) iscarried out.

[0311] On the other hand, after the touch signal processing in step 622or the processing based on the signal in step 628 has been carried out,when a touch signal or a click signal is no longer inputted to thecontrol section 22 due to, for example, the finger being moved away fromthe sheet switch 110 or the like (i.e., when output of a touch signal ora click signal is stopped), the routine proceeds from step 604 to step626. As described above, in step 626, it is judged whether or not 1 hasbeen substituted in for the flag F1. However, after the touch signalprocessing is carried out one time in step 620, 1 is substituted in forthe flag F1 in step 622. Therefore, in this state, the routine returnsfrom step 626 to step 602, and the initial state shown in FIG. 25 arisesagain.

[0312] Then, when, in the first initial state, one of the touch portions150•154 is touched by a finger and the control section 22 receives thetouch signal corresponding to this one of the touch portions 150•154, instep 609, it is judged that it is a function switching signal, and theroutine proceeds to step 610. In step 610 it is judged whether or notthe function switching signal is the same signal as the signal which wasreceived immediately therebefore.

[0313] If the present car navigation program is immediately after thestart from step 600, there is no signal which was received therebefore.Thus, the routine proceeds to step 612, and the elapsed time T of thetimer (timer program) is reset. In step 614, the timer (timer program)is started-up.

[0314] Next, in step 616, it is judged whether or not the elapsed time Thas exceeded the set time TS which was set in advance. If it is thefirst initial state, at that point in time, the elapsed time T has notexceeded the set time TS, and therefore, the routine returns to step604.

[0315] On the other hand, if the set time TS has been exceeded, andfurther, the same function switching signal has been received, theroutine proceeds from step 616 to step 624, and function switchingprocessing is carried out.

[0316] If the function switching signal (touch signal) at this time isthe function switching signal corresponding to the touch portion 150, instep 624, an air conditioning operation program, which serves as what iscalled another function in the claims, is executed, and an airconditioning operation screen, which includes the plurality of selectionbuttons 32•54 and serves as what is called a second screen in theclaims, is displayed on the monitor device 26. These selection buttons32•54 are lined up on the whole in a matrix form of four lines and threecolumns, and respectively correspond to the touch portions 150•172.

[0317] Further, in the state in which this air conditioning operationscreen is displayed, the touch signal which was inputted to the controlsection 22 immediately therebefore corresponds to the touch portion 150.Therefore, as shown in FIG. 29, the selection portion 48 correspondingto this touch portion 150 is reverse-displayed, and it shows that theselection portion 48 is in a selected state.

[0318] Thereafter, if a click signal and another touch signal are notreceived, the routine returns as is from step 618 to step 604, and astandby state for another touch signal or click signal arises.

[0319] In this state, when a click signal is inputted to the controlsection 22 due to the panel 84 being pressed, the routine proceeds fromstep 608 to step 628, and processing based on the display contents ofthe selection button 48 which is in the selected state (in the presentembodiment, raising of the set temperature) is carried out.

[0320] In contrast, when a finger slides on the sheet switch 110 toward,for example, the touch portion 154 and the control section 22 receivesthe function switching signal (touch signal) corresponding to the touchportion 154 with the set time TS being exceeded, in step 620, as shownin FIG. 30, the reverse-display of the selection button 48 is cancelled,and the selection button 32 corresponding to the touch portion 154 isreverse-displayed, and it shows that the selection button 32 is in aselected state.

[0321] In this state, when the control section 22 receives a clicksignal due to the panel 84 being pressed, the routine proceeds from step608 to step 628, and processing based on the display contents of theselection button 32 which is in the selected state (in the presentembodiment, automatic adjustment of the wind speed or the like) iscarried out.

[0322] On the other hand, after the touch signal processing in step 622or the processing based on the signal in step 628 has been carried out,when a touch signal or a click signal is no longer received by thecontrol section 22 due to, for example, the finger moving away from thesheet switch 110 or the like, the routine proceeds from step 604 to step626. As described above, in step 626, it is judged whether or not 1 hasbeen substituted in for the flag F1. However, after the touch signalprocessing is carried out one time in step 620, 1 is substituted in forthe flag F1 in step 622. Therefore, in this state, the routine returnsfrom step 626 to step 602, and the initial state shown in FIG. 25 arisesagain.

[0323] In contrast, in the first initial state, when the control section22 receives a function switching signal (touch signal) corresponding tothe touch portion 152, in step 624, an audio operation program, whichserves as what is called another function in the claims, is executed,and an audio operation screen, which includes the plurality of selectionbuttons 32•54 and serves as what is called a second screen in theclaims, is displayed on the monitor device 26.

[0324] In the state in which this audio operation screen is displayed,the touch signal, which was inputted to the control section 22immediately therebefore, corresponds to the touch portion 152 shown inFIG. 23. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 32, the selection button 40corresponding to this touch portion 152 is reverse-displayed, and itshows that the selection button 40 is in a selected state.

[0325] Thereafter, if a click signal and another touch signal are notreceived, the routine returns from step 618 to step 604 as is, and astandby state for another touch signal or click signal arises.

[0326] In this state, when a click signal is inputted to the controlsection 22 due to the panel 84 being pressed, the routine proceeds fromstep 608 to step 628, and processing based on the display contents onthe selection button 40 which is in the selected state (in the presentembodiment, raising and changing the FM channel) is carried out.

[0327] In contrast, when a finger slides on the sheet switch 110 toward,for example, the touch portion 164 and the control section 22 receives atouch signal corresponding to the touch portion 164 with the set time TSbeing exceeded, in step 620, as shown in FIG. 33, the reverse-display ofthe selection button 40 is cancelled, and the selection button 44corresponding to the touch portion 154 is reverse-displayed, and itshows that the selection button 44 is in a selected state.

[0328] In this state, when a click signal is inputted to the controlsection 22 due to the panel 84 being pressed, the routine proceeds fromstep 608 to step 628, and processing based on the display contents ofthe selection button 44 which is in the selected state (in the presentembodiment, compact disc play starting mode) is carried out.

[0329] On the other hand, after the touch signal processing in step 622or the processing based on the signal in step 628 has been carried out,when a touch signal or a click signal is no longer received by thecontrol section 22 due to, for example, the finger moving away from thesheet switch 110 or the like, the routine proceeds from step 604 to step626. As described above, in step 626, it is judged whether or not 1 hasbeen substituted in for the flag F1. However, after the touch signalprocessing is carried out one time in step 620, 1 is substituted in forthe flag F1 in step 622. Therefore, in this state, the routine returnsfrom step 626 to step 602, and the initial state shown in FIG. 25 arisesagain.

[0330] Further, in the first initial state, when the control section 22receives a function switching signal (a touch signal) corresponding tothe touch portion 154, in step 624, a vehicle state confirmationprogram, which serves as what is called another function in the claims,is executed, and a vehicle state confirmation screen, which includes theplurality of selection buttons 32•54 and serves as what is called asecond screen in the claims, is displayed on the monitor device 26.These selection buttons 32•54 are lined up on the whole in a matrix formof four lines and three columns, and respectively correspond to thetouch portions 150•172.

[0331] Further, in the state in which this vehicle state confirmationscreen is displayed, the touch signal, which the control section 22received immediately therebefore, corresponds to the touch portion 154.Therefore, as shown in FIG. 35, the selection button 32 corresponding tothe touch portion 154 is reverse-displayed, and it shows that theselection button 32 is in a selected state.

[0332] Thereafter, if a click signal and another touch signal are notreceived, the routine returns from step 618 to step 604 as is, and astandby state for another touch signal or click signal arises.

[0333] In this state, when a click signal is inputted to the controlsection 22 due to the panel 84 being pressed, the routine proceeds fromstep 608 to step 628, and processing based on the display contents onthe selection button 32 which is in the selected state (in the presentembodiment, average fuel consumption display) is carried out.

[0334] In contrast, when a finger slides on the sheet switch 110 toward,for example, the touch portion 170 and the control section 22 receives atouch signal corresponding to the touch portion 170 with the set time TSbeing exceeded, in step 620, as shown in FIG. 36, the reverse-display ofthe selection button 32 is cancelled, and the selection button 46corresponding to the touch portion 170 is reverse-displayed, and itshows that the selection button 46 is in a selected state.

[0335] In this state, when a click signal is inputted to the controlsection 22 due to the panel 84 being pressed, the routine proceeds fromstep 608 to step 628, and processing based on the display contents ofthe selection button 44 which is in the selected state (in the presentembodiment, outside temperature display) is carried out.

[0336] On the other hand, after the touch signal processing in step 622or the processing based on the signal in step 628 has been carried out,when a touch signal or a click signal is no longer received by thecontrol section 22 due to, for example, the finger moving away from thesheet switch 110 or the like, the routine proceeds from step 604 to step626. As described above, in step 626, it is judged whether or not 1 hasbeen substituted in for the flag F1. However, after the touch signalprocessing is carried out one time in step 620, 1 is substituted in forthe flag F1 in step 622. Therefore, in this state, the routine returnsfrom step 626 to step 602, and the initial state shown in FIG. 25 arisesagain.

[0337] As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the mapdisplay screen shown in FIG. 25 is displayed, due to the functionswitching buttons 56•58 being displayed in the map display screen, andfurther, the control section 22 receiving the touch signal correspondingto one of these function switching buttons 56•58, it is possible toswitch to the screen corresponding to the program of one of airconditioning operation, audio operation, and vehicle state confirmation.Thus, the operability of the respective operations (work) belonging tothe air conditioning operation, audio operation, and vehicle stateconfirmation and the like, can be improved.

[0338] Further, in the present embodiment, in the state in which displayhas been switched to the screen corresponding to the program of one ofthe air conditioning operation, audio operation, and vehicle stateconfirmation, due to the finger being moved away from the sheet switch110 such that a state in which the control section 22 does not receive asignal arises, display returns to the initial screen shown in FIG. 25.Thus, a special operation for returning to the initial screen isunnecessary. Accordingly, in this sense as well, the operabilityimproves.

[0339] Moreover, in the present embodiment, display, which is the sameas or corresponds to the selection buttons 48, 40, 32 which arereverse-displayed immediately after screen switching corresponding tothe function switching buttons 56•58, is carried out. Therefore, whenthe control section 22 receives a click signal immediately after screenswitching, it can be recognized, in the state before screen switching,which type of operation is to be carried out. Furthermore, if it isoperation contents displayed on the function switching buttons 56•59,there is no need to again select the selection buttons 32•54 after thescreen switching. Thus, in this sense as well, the operability improves.

[0340] Note that further improvement in operability is possible bydisplaying the operation contents having the highest frequencies of useat the time of execution of the respective programs on the functionswitching buttons 56•58, and allocating these operation contents havinghigh frequencies of use to the corresponding selection buttons 48, 40,32 after screen switching, although setting was not particularly carriedout in the present embodiment.

[0341] Further, in the present embodiment, the display contents of thefunction switching buttons 56•58 were basically constant. However, thedisplay contents of the function switching buttons 56•58 may be changedappropriately.

[0342] Namely, for example, when the main menu is returned to in a statein which execution of the audio operation program has selected compactdisc playing as shown in FIG. 33, the display “CD”, which is displayedon the selection button 44 in FIG. 33 on the function selection button57 thereafter, may be structured so as to be displayed on the functionselection button 57 as shown in FIG. 37. When the finger touches thetouch portion 152 corresponding to this function switching button 57 andthe panel 84 is pressed (i.e., a click signal is transmitted) within apredetermined period of time (before the aforementioned elapsed time Texceeds the set time TS), the function in the case of selecting theselection button 44, i.e., compact disk playing, may be carried outimmediately.

[0343] In the case of such a structure, the function which was used theprevious time can be selected immediately even if the selection buttons32•54 are not selected. Thus, it is possible to aim for a reduction inhierarchical operations and selection operations, and the operabilitycan be improved.

[0344] <Sixth Embodiment>

[0345] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

[0346] In the car navigation device to which the screen operating devicerelating to the present embodiment is applied, when the map screendisplay program is executed for example, the map data is expanded by thecontrol section 22. Among the expanded map data, data, which is set inadvance and which can be displayed in a display region R (within theone-dot chain line R of FIG. 41) of the monitor device 26, is displayedin the display region R of the monitor device 26 (see FIG. 41).

[0347] Note that, in each drawing, the display region R is shown by aone-dot chain line within the screen of the monitor device 26. However,this is shown for convenience in explaining the present embodiment, andin actuality, the display region R of such a one-dot chain line is notshown on the screen.

[0348] Further, when a registered mark search program is executed, asshown in FIG. 44, the plurality of selection buttons 32•54 are displayedin a matrix form (in the present embodiment, in four lines and threecolumns) in the display region R of the monitor device 26, andregistered mark data which the user or the like registered in advance(i.e., stored in the storage medium 24 by a predetermined registrationoperation) is expanded. Labels (names of points) of the registered markdata which can be displayed in a preset order and in the display regionR (i.e., registered mark data within the display region R) are displayedwithin the respective selection buttons 32•54.

[0349] Further, when the number of registered mark data is greater thanthe number of the selection buttons 32•54, i.e., when there existregistered mark data which cannot be label-displayed within the displayregion R, by switching screens by a predetermined operation which willbe described later, the labels of other registered mark data can bedisplayed on the respective selection buttons 32•54 as shown in FIG. 46and FIG. 47.

[0350] Moreover, when a search-for-target-place-by-genre program isexecuted, as shown in FIG. 48, the plurality of selection buttons 32•54are displayed in a matrix form (in the present embodiment, four linesand three columns) in the display region R of the monitor device 26.Large classification data, intermediate classification data, and smallclassification data of the target places, which are stored in thestorage medium 24 in advance, are expanded. The respectiveclassification data which can be displayed in a preset order and in thedisplay region R (i.e., respective classification data within thedisplay region R) are displayed within the respective selection buttons32•54.

[0351] Further, when the number of classification data is greater thanthe number of the selection buttons 32•54, i.e., when there existclassification data which cannot be displayed within the display regionR, by switching screens by a predetermined operation which will bedescribed later, the names of other registered places can be displayedat the respective selection buttons 32•54 as shown in FIG. 51, FIG. 53,and FIG. 55.

Operation and Effects of the Present Embodiment at the time ofStarting-Up the Map Screen Display Program

[0352] Next, the operation and effects relating to screen switching(i.e., usual scrolling as usual switching, high-speed scrolling ashigh-speed switching, and decelerated scrolling as changed-speedswitching) in the present car navigation device 10 will be described onthe basis of the flowcharts of FIG. 38 and FIG. 40, by using, asexamples, a case in which a map screen display program is started-up, acase in which a registered mark search program is started-up and a casein which a place name search program is started-up.

[0353] First, as shown in FIG. 38, in step 700, when the control section22 reads the map screen display program from the storage medium 24 andthe map screen display program is started-up, in step 702, the flags F1,F2, P3 and the timer (the timer program) are reset. Next, in step 704,the map data, which is the display data at the time of starting-up themap screen display program, is read from the storage medium 24 andexpanded.

[0354] Thereafter, in step 706, it is judged whether or not apredetermined map data is displayed in the display region R of thescreen of the monitor device 26. If the predetermined map data is notdisplayed, in step 708, screen display processing is carried out. Amongthe expanded map data, the map data corresponding to the display regionR is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 26 as shown in FIG.41, and the routine proceeds to step 710.

[0355] Note that, if it is judged in step 706 that the map datacorresponding to the display region R is already displayed, the routineproceeds to step 710 as is without advancing to step 708.

[0356] Next, a judgement as to whether or not an electrical signal hasbeen received from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 iscarried out. Here, if a touch signal or a click signal has not beeninputted to the control section 22, the routine proceeds to step 712,and it is judged whether or not 1 has been substituted in for the flagF1. Further, in this state, if it is immediately after the present mapscreen display program started from step 700, there is a state in whichF1 is still reset, and thus, the routine returns to step 706 again.

[0357] In contrast, when the line terminal 124 and the line terminal 136are made continuous by the finger of an operator touching theaforementioned touch portion 160, and the control section 22 receivesthe touch signal in this state from the infrared ray light-receivingportion 20, the routine proceeds from step 710 to step 714. In step 714,the electrical signal from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20is processed.

[0358] Next, in step 716, it is judged whether or not the electricalsignal processed in step 714 is a touch signal. In this case, becausethe received signal is a touch signal, the routine proceeds from step716 to step 718, and it is judged whether or not this touch signal isthe same signal as the signal which was received immediatelytherebefore. If it is immediately after the present map screen displayprogram started from step 700, there is no signal which was receivedtherebefore. Thus, the routine proceeds to step 720, and the elapsedtime T of the timer (timer program) is reset. In step 722, the timer(timer program) is started-up.

[0359] Next, in step 724, it is judged whether or not the elapsed time Thas exceeded the set time TA which was set in advance. In this state,for example, if it is a case in which the control section 22 has notreceived the same signal from the infrared ray light-receiving portion20 previously such as a case in which it is immediately after thepresent map screen display program started from step 700 or the like,the elapsed time T has not exceeded the set time TA at this point intime. Therefore, the routine proceeds to step 726.

[0360] In step 726, it is judged whether or not the number of signals ofthe touch signals received until then is 2 or more (the number ofsignals including the present signal is three or more). If it is theinitial signal as described above, the routine returns to step 706.

[0361] When the operator continuously touches the same region of thesheet switch 110, e.g., the touch portion 160, the routine directlyproceeds from step 718 to step 724. Namely, if the operator continuouslytouches the same region of the sheet switch 110, e.g., the touch portion160, the routine continues circling through the processes described upuntil now. However, when, in the midst thereof, the elapsed time Texceeds the set time TA, the routine proceeds from step 724 to step 728,and in step 728, usual scrolling processing is carried out.

[0362] In this usual scrolling processing, the screen moves in apredetermined direction on the basis of the finger position of theoperator on the sheet switch 110 (on the panel 84) (i.e., on the basisof the touch signal).

[0363] Namely, when the finger touches the touch portion 160 forexample, because the touch portion 160 is positioned to the approximateright of the center of the panel 84, in step 728, the expanded map datais moved on the whole toward the left with respect to the display regionR. In this way, the display moves from the map data positioned at theleft end portion side of the display region R toward the outer left sideof the display region R. Accompanying this, the map data, which untilthen was positioned at the outer right side of the display region R andwas not displayed, is positioned within the display region R and isdisplayed on the screen of the monitor device 26.

[0364] In this way, by continuously touching the touch portion 160 withthe finger, the display region R moves relatively toward the right.Accordingly, by continuously touching the panel 84 (the sheet switch110) until the desired map data is positioned within the display regionR, the desired map data can be displayed on the screen of the monitordevice 26.

[0365] Note that, although it will not particularly be described byusing the flowcharts, this usual scrolling processing is ended by thesame touch signal ending, i.e., either the finger moving away from thesheet switch 110 or the finger moving on the sheet switch 110. When thisusual scrolling processing ends, the routine proceeds to step 730 andreturns to step 700.

[0366] On the other hand, for example, when, while the finger continuesto touch the sheet switch 110, the finger is slid on the sheet switch110 from the touch portion 160 to the touch portion 156 via the touchportion 158 before the elapsed time T has exceeded the set time TA(i.e., when the finger moves toward the left in FIG. 3), first, the lineterminal 124 and the line terminal 134 become continuous when the fingerpasses on the touch portion 158.

[0367] In this way, a touch signal, which is different from the touchsignal before then, is sent from the infrared ray light-receivingportion 20 to the control section 22. Accordingly, in this case, theroutine proceeds from step 718 to step 720, and the elapsed time T ofthe timer is reset, and in step 722, the timer is started-up again.Moreover, if the elapsed time T has not exceeded the set time TA, theroutine proceeds from step 724 to step 726. In this state, because thereis one touch signal till now before the present signal (there are twoincluding the present signal), the routine returns to step 706 as is.

[0368] Next, when, before the elapsed time T exceeds the set time TA,the finger moves from the touch portion 158 to the touch portion 156 andthe line terminal 124 and the line terminal 132 become continuous, atouch signal, which is different than the touch signal before then, issent from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 to the controlsection 22. Accordingly, in this case, the routine proceeds from step718 to step 720, and the elapsed time T of the timer is reset, and instep 722, the timer is started-up again.

[0369] Moreover, if the elapsed time T has not exceeded the set time TA,the routine proceeds from step 724 to step 726. Here, if the fingerslides from the touch portion 160 to the touch portion 156 via the touchportion 158 in an extremely short period of time, two touch signalswhich are the touch signal at the touch portion 160 and the touch signalat the touch portion 158 (i.e., three touch signals including the touchsignal at the touch portion 156) are received before the present signal.Thus, the routine proceeds from step 724 to step 726, and thereafter,proceeds to step 732 and it is judged whether or not 1 has beensubstituted in for the flag F1. In this state, if the flag F1 is reset,the routine proceeds to step 734 where 1 is substituted in for the flagF1.

[0370] Next, after the finger has reached the touch portion 156, beforethe elapsed time T of the timer has exceeded the set time TA, when thefinger moves apart from the sheet switch 110 for example, the routineproceeds from step 710 to step 712. However, in this state, because 1has been substituted in for the flag F1, the routine proceeds to step736 and high-speed scrolling processing is executed.

[0371] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 39, in step 800, when thehigh-speed scrolling processing is started, in step 802, it is judgedwhether or not the control section 22 has received a touch signal fromthe infrared ray light-receiving portion 20. However, as describedabove, immediately before the high-speed scrolling processing is carriedout, the finger is moved apart from the sheet switch 110. Therefore, thecontrol section 22 does not receive the touch signal from the infraredray light-receiving portion 20, and the routine proceeds to step 804.

[0372] In step 804, it is judged whether or not 1 has been substitutedin for the flag F3. Because 1 is not substituted in for the flag F3immediately before the high-speed scrolling processing is started, theroutine proceeds to step 806. In step 806, it is judged whether or not 1has been substituted in for the flag F2. However, in the same way as theflag F3, 1 is not substituted in for the flag F2 immediately before thehigh-speed scrolling processing is started. Therefore, the routineproceeds to step 808,

[0373] In step 808, the direction of scrolling is calculated on thebasis of the three or more touch signals which have been received upuntil the high-speed scrolling processing started. As the method ofcalculating the scrolling direction at this time, for example, there isa method in which a vector starting end position is determined on thebasis of the final touch signal when the line terminal 124 and the lineterminal 132 became continuous, and a vector intermediate position isdetermined on the basis of the next touch signal when the line terminal124 and the line terminal 134 became continuous, and a vector final endposition is determined on the basis of the initial touch signal when theline terminal 124 and the line terminal 136 became continuous; and amethod in which a vector starting end position is determined on thebasis of the final touch signal when the line terminal 124 and the lineterminal 132 became continuous, and a vector final end position isdetermined on the basis of the initial touch signal when the lineterminal 124 and the line terminal 136 became continuous; and the like.The former determines the intermediate position, whereas the latter doesnot determine the intermediate position. Therefore, at this point intime, the direction of the vector determined by the former method andthe direction of the vector determined by the latter method are notalways the same. However, in either case, the direction of the vectordetermined at this point in time corresponds to a direction which isapproximately opposite the sliding direction of the finger on the sheetswitch 11.

[0374] Next, in step 810, it is judged whether or not the vectordetermined in step 808 is a wandering vector. A wandering vector is, forexample, a case in which a vector passing through an intermediate pointwhich is based on, for example, the next (second) touch signal when theline terminal 124 and the line terminal 134 became continuous, greatlydiffers with respect to a straight line connecting the vector startingend position and the vector final end position (namely, a case in whichthe intermediate point is greatly separated from a straight lineconnecting the vector starting end position and the vector final endposition). For example, in cases in which the operator is confused as towhich operation to carry out and the finger is moving without having anyparticular directionality, the aforementioned vector may be a wanderingvector.

[0375] In step 810, it is judged whether or not the vector computed instep 808 is a wandering vector, i.e., in a case in which the vector iscomputed in step 808 so as to include the intermediate position, whetheror not the computed vector differs greatly from a straight lineconnecting the vector starting end position and the vector final endposition, or, in a case in which only the starting end position and thefinal end position of the vector are computed in step 808, whether ornot an intermediate point which is based on the next (second) touchsignal when the line terminal 124 and the line terminal 134 becamecontinuous is greatly separated from the vector computed in step 808.

[0376] If it is judged in step 810 that the vector is not a wanderingvector, the routine proceeds to step 812. In step 812, the speed ofscrolling is set on the basis of the respective elapsed times T in thestates in which the finger was positioned at the respective touchportions 160, 158, 156. For example, if the sum of the respectiveelapsed times T is small, the scrolling speed is set to be relativelyfast, and if the sum of the respective elapsed times T is large, thescrolling speed is set to be relatively slow.

[0377] Next, in step 814, the map data is high-speed moved with respectto the display region R at the speed set in step 812 in the directiondetermined in step 808 (i.e., is moved sufficiently quickly as comparedwith the above-described usual scrolling), and an arrow mark 930, in thedirection opposite to the direction determined in step 808 and of alength corresponding to the speed set in step 812, is displayed on thescreen of the monitor device 26 (see FIG. 42). Namely, as describedabove, the direction of the vector computed in step 808 corresponds, ina sense, to the direction opposite to the sliding direction of thefinger on the sheet switch 100. Thus, by high-speed moving the map datain this direction with respect to the display region R, it appears as ifthe display region R is high-speed moving in the sliding direction ofthe finger on the sheet switch 110.

[0378] In this way, in the present embodiment, by sliding the finger onthe sheet switch 110 (i.e., the panel 84), the display region R canapparently be moved at high speed in the direction corresponding to thesliding direction and at a speed which corresponds to the sliding speedand is sufficiently faster than the usual scrolling. In this way, theoperation sensation and the direction and speed of the scrolling can bemade to conform.

[0379] Next, in step 816, 1 is substituted in for the flag F2, and 0 issubstituted in for the elapsed time T of the timer (i.e., reset), andthe routine returns to step 802. In this state, if a touch signal is notreceived in particular (strictly speaking, if a touch signal is notreceived after the aforementioned final touch signal), the routineproceeds to step 804, and then proceeds to step 806. Here, in thisstate, because 1 is substituted in for the flag F2 in step 816, theroutine returns to step 802 without advancing to step 808.

[0380] Note that, in this state, the high-speed scrolling is continued.Namely, in this state, the high-speed scrolling is continued without theoperator carrying out a special operation or continuing some type ofoperation. Thus, while the desired map (i.e., the map for which displayis desired) approaches or up to the time when it is displayed, theoperator is free from operation. Accordingly, in this state, theoperability improves, such as it is possible for operations or the likeof other than the present car navigation device 10 to be carried out bythe operator or the like.

[0381] Further, as described above, as the condition for carrying outhigh-speed scrolling, there is separation of the finger from the sheetswitch 110 after the set time TA and the sliding have ended. When thisset time TA is exceeded and the control section 22 receives the sametouch signal, high-speed scrolling is not carried out.

[0382] Accordingly, in order to carry out high-speed scrolling, thefinger must intentionally quickly be slid and the finger must be movedaway from the sheet switch 110. In this way, unintentional (inadvertent)high-speed scrolling of map data can be prevented or suppressed.

[0383] Next, while the processings are carried out in the loop whichcircles steps 802, 804, 806, 802, when, for example, the finger of theoperator touches the touch portion 154 of the sheet switch 110 and theline terminal 122 and the line terminal 136 are thereby made continuousand the touch signal accompanying this is sent from the infrared raylight-receiving portion 20 to the control section 22, the routineproceeds from step 802 to step 818, and it is judged whether or not theelapsed time T of the timer (the timer program) is 0.

[0384] Here, in this state, because the elapsed time T is reset in step816, the routine proceeds to step 820 and the timer (timer program) isstarted-up. Next, after 1 is substituted in for the flag F3 in step 822,the routine proceeds to step 824. In step 824, it is judged whether ornot the elapsed time T has exceeded a set time TB which is set inadvance. If the elapsed time T has not exceeded the set time TB, theroutine returns to step 802.

[0385] For example, when the receipt of the touch signal is cancelledbefore the set time TB has been exceeded such as in a case in which thefinger is instantaneously moved away from the sheet switch 110 after thetouch portion 154 has been touched or the like, the routine proceedsfrom step 802 to step 804. Here, as described above, because 1 issubstituted in for the flag F3 at step 822, the routine proceeds fromstep 804 to step 826, and direction setting processing is carried out.

[0386] This direction setting processing in step 826 is different fromthe vector processing of step 808. For example, the position of thetouch portion 154 is computed from the touch signal which is based onthe continuity signal of the line terminal 122 and the line terminal136, and further, the direction corresponding to the touch portion 154at the display region R from the center of the display region R iscomputed.

[0387] Next, in step 828, the scrolling speed is set to a speed which isa preset proportion (e.g., one level) slower than the scrolling speed upuntil now. Further, after 0 has been substituted in for each of the flagF3 and the elapsed time T (i.e., reset) in step 830, in step 832, themap data is moved with respect to the display region R at the speed setin step 828 in the direction opposite the direction computed in step826. Moreover, an arrow mark 932, of the direction computed in step 826and of a length corresponding to the speed which has been decelerated byone level, is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 26 (see FIG.43), and the routine returns to step 802.

[0388] In this state, after the routine has returned to step 802, theloop of steps 802, 804, 806, 802 is circled until the next touch signalis received. In this state, the above-described decelerated scrolling iscontinuous.

[0389] Thereafter, each time a touch signal, which has not exceeded theset time TB, is received again, scrolling is carried out decelerated byone more level in the direction based on that touch signal. In this way,by moving the map data with respect to the display region R by theinitial high-speed scrolling up to a rough position, and thereafter,repeating the decelerated scrolling, for example, the target map datacan be displayed quickly and reliably at the substantial center of thedisplay region R.

[0390] On the other hand, when the same touch signal is receivedcontinuously until the set time TB is exceeded, the routine proceedsfrom step 824 to step 834. In step 834, the high-speed scrolling anddecelerated scrolling up until then are stopped. Then, in step 836, allof the flags F1•P3 are reset.

[0391] Next, in step 838, the touch signals received until then aredeleted from the memory or the like which stored them, except for thetouch signal which was received last (in other words, by going throughthis step 814, the touch signal which was received last becomes thetouch signal which was received first).

[0392] Moreover, after going through this step 838, the routine returnsto step 706 of FIG. 38 via step 840. Note that even when it is judged instep 810 that the vector computed in step 808 is a wandering vector, theroutine proceeds to step 836, and returns to step 706 of FIG. 38 viasteps 838, 840.

[0393] Next, after returning to step 706, if a click signal is receivedfor example, the routine proceeds from step 716 to step 738, and varioustypes of processings based on the touch signal received immediatelytherebefore and the received click signal are carried out.

[0394] As described above, at the time of starting-up the map screenprogram in the present embodiment, the desired map data can reliably bedisplayed in the display region R at a speed corresponding to the intentof the user, by using the high-speed scrolling, the deceleratedscrolling, and the usual scrolling.

Operation and Effects of the Present Embodiment at the time ofStarting-up the Registered Mark Search Program

[0395] Next, the operation and effects relating to screen switching(i.e., usual scrolling as usual switching, high-speed scrolling ashigh-speed switching, and decelerated scrolling as changed-speedswitching) at the time of starting-up the registered mark searchprogram, will be described.

[0396] Note that the time of starting-up the registered mark searchprogram and the time of starting-up the place name search program whichwill be described next will be described on the basis of the flowchartof FIG. 40 instead of the flowchart of FIG. 38. However, they arebasically the same as the above-described time of starting-up the mapscreen program, and the basic operation and effects are also the same.Therefore, hereinafter, description centered around the differences fromthe time of starting-up the map screen program will be carried out, anddetailed description relating to basically the same processings will beomitted.

[0397] At the time of starting-up the registered mark search program,first, as shown in FIG. 40, when the registered mark search program isstarted-up in step 700, the routine goes through step 702, and in step704, the data of the selection buttons 32•54 (see FIG. 44) is read fromthe storage medium 24. Further, the registered mark data, which is thedisplay data at the time of starting-up the registered mark searchprogram, is read and expanded into matrix form. However, in the presentembodiment, although the registered mark data are expanded into matrixform, the number of lines of the expanded registered mark data are equalto the number of lines (i.e., four lines) of the selection buttons 32•54shown in FIG. 44, and the number of columns corresponds to the numberobtained by dividing the number of data of the registered marks by thenumber of lines.

[0398] Thereafter, in step 706, it is judged whether or notpredetermined registered mark data are displayed in the display region Rof the screen of the monitor device 26. If the predetermined registeredmark data are not displayed, in step 708, screen display processing iscarried out. Among the expanded registered mark data, the labels of theregistered mark data corresponding to the display region R are displayedon the screen of the monitor device 26 as shown in FIG. 44, and theroutine proceeds to step 710.

[0399] Note that, hereinafter, only with regard to the explanation ofthe time of starting-up the registered mark search program, theregistered mark data of the number of lines and number of columns whichcan be displayed on the screen of the monitor device 26 (i.e., which canbe moved to the display region R) (namely, in the present embodiment,the registered mark data of four lines and three columns) is set as oneunit, and this unit is called a “page” for convenience. Namely,registered mark data of one page means registered mark data of fourlines and three columns which are adjacent to one another.

[0400] For example, when the line terminal 124 and the line terminal 136become continuous due to the finger of the operator touching the touchportion 160, and the control section 22 receives the touch signal inthis state from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20, the routineproceeds from step 710 via steps 714, 716 to step 718. If the same touchsignal is not continuously received up until then, in step 902, touchsignal processing is carried out.

[0401] As shown in FIG. 44, when the registered mark search program inthe present embodiment is started-up, the selection buttons 32•54displayed on the monitor device 26 are made to be in a matrix form onthe whole. The number of lines thereof is equal to the number of lineterminals 122•128, and the number of columns is equal to the number ofline terminals 132•136. Namely, the points of intersection of the lineterminals 122•136 (in other words, the touch portions 150•172)correspond to the selection buttons 32•54. In step 902, the selectionbutton 34 corresponding to the received touch signal (i.e.,corresponding to the point of intersection of the line terminal 124 andthe line terminal 136 in this case), and the label of the registeredmark data displayed within this selection button 34, arereverse-displayed (see FIG. 45).

[0402] If the movable portion 100 of the push switch 96 is pressed viathe sheet switch 110 and the panel 84, and the fixed contact of the mainbody 98 and the movable contact of the movable portion 100 becomecontinuous, and the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 receives aninfrared ray signal L emitted from the infrared ray light-emittingelement 102 on the basis of the continuity signal at this time, a clicksignal is sent from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 to thecontrol section 22. In such a case, the routine proceeds from step 716of FIG. 40 to step 738, and, for example, the control section 22 makesthe map data of this touch portion be displayed on the monitor device26, centered around the point corresponding to the registered markdisplayed on the selection button 34 corresponding to the touch signalreceived immediately before receipt of the click signal (refer to FIG.41 for one aspect of a display example).

[0403] On the other hand, when the set time TA is exceeded and thefinger does not touch the touch portion 160, the routine proceeds fromstep 724 of FIG. 40 to step 728, and the usual scrolling processing atthe time of starting-up the registered mark search program is carriedout.

[0404] In this usual scrolling processing, the screen moves in apredetermined direction on the basis of the finger position of theoperator on the sheet switch 110 (on the panel 84) (i.e., on the basisof the touch signal).

[0405] Namely, when the finger touches the touch portion 160 forexample, because the touch portion 160 is positioned to the approximateright of the center of the panel 84, in step 728, the expandedregistered mark data is moved on the whole by one column to the leftwith respect to the display region R. In this way, the registered markdata which were label-displayed on the selection buttons 48•54 (i.e.,positioned at the left end side of the display region R) move toward theouter left side of the display region R. Similarly, the registered markdata which were label-displayed on the selection buttons 32•46 also moveand are label-displayed within the selection buttons 40•54. Moreover,one column of the registered mark data, which until then were positionedat the outer right side of the display region R and were notlabel-displayed, are positioned within the display region R andlabel-displayed on the selection buttons 32•38 (see FIG. 46).

[0406] In this way, by continuously touching the right side of the panel84 (the sheet switch 110) with the finger, the display region R movesrelatively toward the right. Accordingly, by continuously touching thepanel 84 (the sheet switch 110) until the desired registered mark datais positioned within the display region R, the desired registered markdata can be displayed on the screen of the monitor device 26.

[0407] Note that, as described above, in the present embodiment, thenumber of lines of the expanded registered mark data is the same as thenumber of lines of the selection buttons 32•54. Thus, the registeredmark data which could not completely be displayed in the display regionR exist at the outer side, in the direction (strictly speaking, thedirection along the direction corresponding to the column direction ofthe selection buttons 32•54) along the column direction (in the presentembodiment, the up-down direction in FIGS. 44•14) of the selectionbuttons 32•54, with respect to the display region R. However, registeredmark data does not exist at the outer side, in the direction along thecolumn direction of the selection buttons 32•54, with respect to thedisplay region R.

[0408] Thus, at the time of starting-up the present registered marksearch program, processing for moving the registered mark data in thedirection along the column direction of the selection buttons 32•54 withrespect to the display region R is not carried out. Further, although itwill not particularly be described by using the flowcharts, this usualscrolling processing is ended by the same touch signal ending, i.e.,either the finger moving away from the sheet switch 110, or the fingermoving on the sheet switch 110. When this usual scrolling processingends, the routine proceeds to step 730 and returns to step 700.

[0409] In contrast, when the finger slides from the touch portion 160 tothe touch portion 158 before the set time TA is exceeded, and thereafterthe finger slides from the touch portion 158 to the touch portion 156before the set time TA is exceeded, and further, the finger moves awayfrom the sheet switch 110 before the set time TA is exceeded, in thesame way as at the above-described time of starting-up the map screendisplay program, the routine goes through steps 710, 712 of FIG. 40 andproceeds to step 736, and high-speed scrolling processing is carriedout.

[0410] At the time of starting-up the registered mark search program aswell, the processings of steps 800•840 are carried out as shown in FIG.39 in the same way as at the above-described time of starting-up the mapscreen display program. However, at the above-described time ofstarting-up the map screen display program, the speed setting processingof step 812 was the setting of the moving speed of the map data.However, at the time of starting-up the present registered mark searchprogram, the speed setting processing of step 812 means the display timeof the registered mark data within the display region R. Further, in thesame way as at the time of usual scrolling, in the high-speed scrollingprocessing as well, at the time of starting-up the present registeredmark search program, processing for moving the registered mark data inthe direction along the column direction (in the present embodiment, theup-down direction of FIGS. 44•14) of the selection buttons 32•54 withrespect to the display region R is not carried out.

[0411] When high-speed scrolling is started in step 814, all of theregistered mark data (i.e. the registered mark data label-displayedwithin the selection buttons 32•54), which are label-displayed in thedisplay region R are moved at one time, with respect to the displayregion R, toward the outer side in the direction of the vectorcalculated in step 808, i.e., the direction corresponding to thedirection of the vector whose starting end position is the touch portion156 on the sheet switch 110 and whose final end position is the touchportion 160.

[0412] Moreover, one page of the registered mark data, which is adjacentat the outer side of the display region R in the direction opposite tothe direction of the vector computed in step 808, is moved at one timeinto the display region R and is label-displayed within thecorresponding selection buttons 32•54 (see FIG. 47).

[0413] Next, after the labels of the registered mark data are displayedwithin the display region R (i.e., within the selection buttons 32•54)for the time which was set in step 812, all of the registered mark datalabel-displayed in the display region R in this state are moved at onetime out of the display region R in the direction of the same vector asdescribed above. Moreover, in this state, one page of the registeredmark data, which is adjacent at the outer side of the display region Rin the direction opposite the direction of the vector computed in step808, is moved at one time into the display region R and islabel-displayed within the corresponding selection buttons 32•54.

[0414] After the above-described start of the high-speed scrolling, theloop of steps 802, 804, 806, 802 in FIG. 39 is circled, and high-speedscrolling (i.e., movement of the registered mark data) is repeatedlycontinued.

[0415] Next, in this state, for example, when the finger of the operatortouches the touch portion 156 within a time shorter than the set time TBon the sheet switch 110 and the touch signal accompanying this is sentfrom the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 to the control section22, direction setting processing is carried out in step 826. Next, instep 828, speed changing processing is carried out, and the display timewithin the display region R is set to be one level slower. After passingthrough step 830, when decelerated scrolling is started in step 832, allof the registered mark data are moved at one time from the substantialcenter of the sheet switch 110 in the direction opposite the directiontoward the touch portion 156, and the one page of registered mark data,which is adjacent at the outer side of the display region R in thedirection from the substantial center of the sheet switch 110 toward thetouch portion 156, is moved at one time into the display region R.

[0416] After the above-described start of the decelerated scrolling, theloop of steps 802, 804, 806, 802 in FIG. 39 is circled, and during thattime, the registered mark data which has moved into the display region Ris displayed within the display region R for the time set in step 826,i.e., a time which is one level slower than the display timetherebefore, and thereafter, is moved.

[0417] In this way, at the time of starting-up the present registeredmark search program, even if there is a case such as the desiredregistered mark data (i.e., the registered mark data for which displayis desired) is far from the registered mark displayed in the displayregion R, by carrying out the above-described high-speed scrolling, thedesired registered mark data can be displayed faster than when the usualscrolling is carried out.

[0418] Furthermore, in a case in which the desired registered mark datais approaching after the start of high-speed scrolling, or in a case inwhich the desired registered mark data was displayed in the displayregion R but the stopping of the movement of the registered mark datawas not in time, or the like, the desired registered mark data cancalmly and reliably be displayed in the display region R by carrying outdecelerated scrolling.

[0419] Further, by carrying out the high-speed scrolling and thedecelerated scrolling as described above, it suffices to not separatelydisplay a high-speed scrolling mode button or a decelerated scrollingmode button within the display region R. Thus, effective, practical useof the display region R, such as increasing the size or increasing thenumbers of the selection buttons 32•54 or the like, is possible.

[0420] Note that, as described above, the present embodiment was astructure in which the moving direction (i.e., the scrolling direction)of the registered mark data at the time of starting-up the registeredmark search program is limited to only the line direction of theselection buttons 32•54 (in the present embodiment, the left-rightdirection of FIGS. 44•14). However, it goes without saying that,depending on the way of lining up the expanded registered mark data, acase in which the movement direction of the registered mark data is notthe line direction of the selection buttons 32•54 suffices.

[0421] Namely, in a case in which the registered mark data are lined upin an aspect in which the number of columns of the registered mark datais equal to the number of columns of the selection buttons 32•54 andwhich has a number of lines which is a number obtained by dividing thenumber of registered mark data by the number of columns, the movingdirection of the registered mark data is of course the directioncorresponding to the column direction (in the present embodiment, theup-down direction in FIGS. 44•14).

[0422] Further, when the registered mark data at the time of expansionare lined up in line directions and column directions of numbers greaterthan the number of lines and the number of columns of the selectionbuttons 32•54, there is the need to move the registered mark data inboth the line direction and the column direction. Moreover, theconvenience can be increased even more by making the registered markdata movable not only in the line direction and the column direction,but also in a direction which is inclined in the column direction withrespect to the line direction.

[0423] Further, the present embodiment was structured such that, whenthe registered mark search program is started-up, both the high-speedscrolling and the decelerated scrolling move one page of registered markdata, and the display times are made to be different in the high-speedscrolling and the decelerated scrolling. However, the high-speedscrolling and the decelerated scrolling are not limited to suchprocessings.

[0424] For example, a structure is possible in which, in the high-speedscrolling, several pages of registered mark data are moved at one time,and in the decelerated scrolling, the number of pages of registered markdata which is moved at one time is reduced. Moreover, the high-speedscrolling and the decelerated scrolling also may be structured such thatonly one column of registered mark data is moved in the same way as theusual scrolling, but the display times of the high-speed scrolling, thedecelerated scrolling, and the usual scrolling are changed.

[0425] To elucidate further, a structure may be used in whichprocessings which are similar to those at the time of starting-up theregistered mark search program are carried out also at the time ofstarting-up the above-described map screen display program.

Operation and Effects of the Present Embodiment at the time ofStarting-Up the Search-by-Genre Program

[0426] Next, the operation and effects relating to screen switching(i.e., usual scrolling as the usual switching, high-speed scrolling ashigh-speed switching, and decelerated scrolling as changed-speedswitching) at the time of starting-up the search-by-genre program willbe described.

[0427] Note that the operation and effects at the time of starting-upthe search-by-genre program are basically the same as at theabove-described time of starting-up the map screen program. Thus,hereinafter, explanation will center around the differences from thetime of starting-up the registered mark search program and thecharacteristic portions at the time of starting-up the search-by-genreprogram, and detailed description relating to processings which arebasically the same will be omitted.

[0428] At the time of starting-up the search-by-genre program as well,in step 704, the images or other data including the selection buttons32•54 are read from the storage medium 24, and classification data,which is display data at the time of starting-up the search-by-genreprogram, is read and expanded hierarchically.

[0429] The classification data in the present embodiment is divided intolarge classification data, intermediate classification data, and smallclassification data. All of the intermediate classification data belongto one or a plurality of the plural large classification data, and allof the small classification data belong to one or a plurality of theplural intermediate classification data. Namely, there is a structure inwhich the intermediate classification data and the small classificationdata are lined up hierarchically with the large classification databeing at the apex.

[0430] Further, in step 706, it is judged whether or not predeterminedclassification data are displayed in the display region R of the screenof the monitor device 26. If predetermined classification data are notdisplayed, in step 708, screen display processing is carried out.

[0431] As shown in FIG. 48, in the screen display processing at the timeof starting-up the search-by-genre program, the selection buttons 32•54are displayed within the display region R in a matrix form (in thepresent embodiment, four lines and three columns). Further, in thisstate, labels of the large classification data positioned within thedisplay region R, among the large classification data which are lined upin one column, are displayed on the respective selection buttons 48•54which are in the lefthand-most column. Moreover, in this state, thelabels of the intermediate classification data belonging to thedisplayed large classification data are displayed on the selectionbuttons 40•46 in order from the first. The labels of the smallclassification data belonging to the displayed intermediateclassification data are displayed on the selection buttons 32•38 inorder from the first.

[0432] However, when, among the small classification data displayed onthe selection buttons 32•38, two or more thereof belong to the sameintermediate classification data, only the label of the intermediateclassification data at the left side (i.e., the same line) of the labelof the small classification data positioned at the top, among theselection buttons 32•38 which display the labels of the smallclassification data belonging to the same intermediate classificationdata, is displayed on the selection buttons 40•46. The selection buttons40•46 at the left side of the labels of the small classification datapositioned below, among the labels of the small classification databelonging to the same intermediate classification, are left blank.

[0433] Similarly, when, among the intermediate classification datadisplayed on the selection buttons 40•46, two or more thereof belong tothe same large classification data, only the label of the largeclassification data at the left side (i.e., the same line) of the labelof the intermediate classification data positioned at the top, among theselection buttons 40•46 which display the labels of the intermediateclassification data belonging to the same large classification data, isdisplayed on the selection buttons 48•54. The selection buttons 48•54 atthe left side of the labels of the intermediate classification datapositioned below, among the labels of the intermediate classificationdata belonging to the same intermediate classification, are left blank.

[0434] In this way, in the state in which labels of the respectiveclassification data are displayed, when the line terminal 124 and theline terminal 136 become continuous due to the finger of the operatortouching the touch portion 160, and the control section 22 receives thetouch signal in this state from the infrared ray light-receiving portion20, the routine proceeds from step 710 via steps 714, 716 to step 718.If the same touch signal has not been continuously received up untilthen, in step 902, touch signal processing is carried out. In the sameway as at the time of starting-up the registered mark search program,the corresponding selection button 34 and the label of theclassification data (small classification data) displayed within theselection button 34 are reverse-displayed (see FIG. 49).

[0435] If, in this state, the movable portion 100 of the push switch 96is pressed via the sheet switch 110 and the panel 84, and the fixedcontact of the main body 98 and the movable contact of the movableportion 100 become continuous, and further, the infrared raylight-receiving portion 20 receives the infrared ray signal L emittedfrom the infrared ray light-emitting element 102 on the basis of thecontinuity signal at this time, a click signal is sent from the infraredray light-receiving portion 20 to the control section 22.

[0436] When the control section 22 receives a click signal immediatelyafter receiving this click signal, i.e., the touch signal correspondingto the touch portion 160, in step 902, among the individual dataincluded in the small classification data which is label-displayed inthe selection button 34 corresponding to the touch portion 160, e.g.,among the registered mark data explained at the time of starting-up theregistered mark search program, the registered mark data included inthat small classification data are displayed on the selection buttons32•54, or only the registered mark data belonging to this smallclassification data are extracted and then expanded, and theabove-described registered mark search program is started-up.

[0437] Further, if the control section 22 receives a click signalimmediately after receipt of the touch signal corresponding to the touchportion 152, in step 902, the small classification data included in theintermediate classification data which is label-displayed on theselection button 40 corresponding to the touch portion 152, is expandedinto one column, and the labels of the small classification data withinthe display region R are label-displayed on the selection buttons 32•38(as an example, see FIG. 54). However, if the number of smallclassification data belonging to that intermediate classification datais smaller than the number of selection buttons 32•38, the smallclassification data for the intermediate classification data before orafter the corresponding intermediate classification data are similarlylabel-displayed.

[0438] Moreover, if the control section 22 receives a click signalimmediately after receipt of a touch signal corresponding to the touchportion 150, in step 902, the intermediate classification data, whichare included in the large classification data displayed on the selectionbutton 48 corresponding to the touch portion 150, are expanded in onecolumn, and the labels of the intermediate classification data withinthe display region R are displayed on the selection buttons 40•46.

[0439] Further, the labels of the first small classification data, whichbelong to the respective intermediate classification data whose labelsare displayed on the selection buttons 40•46, are respectively displayedon the selection buttons 32•38 positioned at the right sides of theselection buttons 40•46 at which the labels of the correspondingintermediate classification data are displayed (see FIG. 52 as oneexample). However, when the number of intermediate and smallclassification data belonging to that large classification data issmaller than the number of selection buttons 40•46, the intermediateclassification data and the classification data for the largeclassification data before or after that large classification data aresimilarly label-displayed.

[0440] In contrast, for example, when the finger is slid in the columndirection on the sheet switch 110 as in the case in which, for example,the finger is slid from the touch portion 156 to the touch portion 162and thereafter the finger is slid from the touch portion 162 to thetouch portion 168 before the set time TA has been exceeded, and thefinger is moved away from the sheet switch 110 before the set time TA isexceeded, the routine passes through steps 710, 712 of FIG. 40 andproceeds to step 736 and high-speed scrolling processing is carried out,in the same way as at the time of starting-up the above-describedregistered mark search program.

[0441] However, in the present embodiment, the classification data aredivided into and lined up as the three classification data which are thelarge classification data, the intermediate classification data and thesmall classification data along the line directions of the selectionbuttons 32•54, and basically, there is no other classification data.Thus, data, which is positioned at the outer side of the display regionR in the direction along the line direction of the selection buttons32•54, does not exist. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, at thetime of starting-up the search-by-genre program, high-speed scrollingand decelerated scrolling along the line direction of the selectionbuttons 32•54 is not carried out, and scrolling is not carried out inthe line direction of the selection buttons 32•54 at the time of usualscrolling as well.

[0442] Further, in the present embodiment, the modes of high-speedscrolling and decelerated scrolling differ in accordance with the waythe finger slides on which of the columns of the touch portions 150˜172which are in matrix form. Hereinafter, explanation will be given on acolumn-by-column basis.

[0443] When the high-speed scrolling processing is begun in step 814 dueto the finger sliding from the touch portion 156 to the touch portion168, first, all of the large classification data are lined up in onecolumn.

[0444] Next, among the large classification data which are lined up inone column, the labels of the large classification data which can bedisplayed within the display region R are displayed on the selectionbuttons 48•52 from the position of the selection button 54 and the labelof the large classification data which were reverse-displayed in step902 on the basis of the touch signal received immediately beforeproceeding to step 736 in FIG. 40.

[0445] Moreover, the labels of the first intermediate classificationdata, which belong to the respective large classification data displayedon the selection buttons 48•54, are displayed on the selection buttons40•46 at the right of the corresponding selection buttons 48•54.Further, the labels of the first small classification data, which belongto the intermediate classification data of the labels displayed on therespective selection buttons 40•46, are displayed on the selectionbuttons 32•38 at the right of the corresponding selection buttons 40•46(see FIG. 50).

[0446] Next, from this state, all of the large classification data move,with respect to the display region R, in the direction of the vectorcomputed in step 808. Note that the movement of the large classificationdata at this time may be such that, as at the time of starting-up theregistered mark search program, the large classification data (i.e., thefour large classification data) within the display region R are moved atone time, and the large classification data (i.e., the four largeclassification data), which can be displayed in the display region R andwhich include the large classification data adjacent to the displayregion R at the side in the direction opposite the vector computed instep 808, are moved into the display region R at one time, and thelabels of the corresponding large classification data are displayed onthe selection buttons 48•54. Further, the large classification data maybe moved in the direction of the vector computed in step 808, and thelabels of the corresponding large classification data after movement maybe displayed on the selection buttons 48•54.

[0447] Moreover, when the large classification data moves and labels arenewly displayed within the selection buttons 48•54, the labels of thefirst intermediate classification data belonging to the respective largeclassification data which are displayed are newly displayed on therespective selection buttons 40•46 at the right side of the labels ofthe corresponding large classification data. The labels of the firstsmall classification data belonging to the displayed intermediateclassification data are newly displayed on the respective selectionbuttons 32•38 at the right side of the labels of the correspondingintermediate classification data (see FIG. 51).

[0448] On the other hand, when high-speed scrolling is started in step814 due to the finger sliding from the touch portion 158 toward thetouch portion 170, first, if all of the intermediate classification dataor the large classification data which was desired previously isdetermined, the intermediate classification data belonging to thatdesired large classification data is expanded in one column.

[0449] Next, among the intermediate classification data which are linedup in one column, the labels of the intermediate classification datawhich can be displayed within the display region R are displayed on theselection buttons 40•44 from the position of the selection button 46 andthe label of the intermediate classification data which werereverse-displayed in step 902 on the basis of the touch signal receivedimmediately before proceeding to step 736 in FIG. 40.

[0450] Moreover, the labels of the first small classification data,which belong to the intermediate classification data of the labelsdisplayed on the respective selection buttons 40•46, are displayed onthe selection buttons 32•38 at the right of the corresponding selectionbuttons 40•46 (see FIG. 52).

[0451] In this state, the intermediate classification data move, withrespect to the display region R, in the direction of the vector computedin step 808. Note that, in the same way as at the time of moving thelarge classification data, it may be structured such that theintermediate classification data (i.e., the four intermediateclassification data) within the display region R are moved at one time,and the intermediate classification data (i.e., the four intermediateclassification data), which can be displayed within the display region Rand which include the intermediate classification data adjacent to thedisplay region R at the side in the direction opposite to the vectorcomputed in step 808, are moved into the display region R at one time,and the labels of the corresponding intermediate classification data aredisplayed on the selection buttons 48•54. Further, the intermediateclassification data may be moved in the direction of the vector computedin step 808, and the labels of the corresponding intermediateclassification data after movement may be displayed on the selectionbuttons 40•46.

[0452] When the intermediate classification data move and the labels arenewly displayed within the selection buttons 40•46, the labels of thefirst small classification data corresponding to the respectiveintermediate classification data which are displayed are newly displayedon the respective selection buttons 32•38 at the right side of thelabels of the corresponding intermediate classification data (see FIG.53).

[0453] In contrast, when the high-speed scrolling processing is startedin step 814 due to the finger sliding from the touch portion 160 towardthe touch portion 172, first, if all of the small classification data,or the large classification data or the intermediate classification datadesired previously is determined, the small classification databelonging to the desired large classification data or intermediateclassification data are expanded in one column.

[0454] Next, among the small classification data which are lined up inone column, the labels of the small classification data which can bedisplayed within the display region R are displayed on the selectionbuttons 32•36 from the position of the selection button 38 and the labelof the small classification data which were reverse-displayed in step902 on the basis of the touch signal received immediately beforeproceeding to step 736 in FIG. 40 (see FIG. 54).

[0455] In this state, as shown in FIG. 55, the small classification datamove, with respect to the display region R, in the direction of thevector computed in step 808. Note that, in the same way as at the timeof moving the large classification data and the intermediateclassification data, it may be structured such that the smallclassification data (i.e., the four small classification data) withinthe display region R are moved at one time, and the small classificationdata (i.e., the four small classification data), which can be displayedwithin the display region R and which include the small classificationdata adjacent to the display region R at the side in the directionopposite to the vector computed in step 808, are moved into the displayregion R at one time, and the labels of the corresponding smallclassification data are displayed on the selection buttons 32•38.Further, the small classification data may be moved in the direction ofthe vector computed in step 808, and the labels of the correspondingsmall classification data after movement may be displayed on theselection buttons 32•38.

[0456] After the above-described start of the high-speed scrolling, theloop of steps 802, 804, 806, 802 in FIG. 39 is circled, and high-speedscrolling (i.e., movement of the classification data) is repeatedlycontinued.

[0457] Next, in this state, for example, when the finger of the operatortouches the touch portion 170 or the like within a time shorter than theset time TB on the sheet switch 110 and the touch signal accompanyingthis is sent from the infrared ray light-receiving portion 20 to thecontrol section 22, direction setting processing is carried out in step826. Further, in step 828, speed changing processing is carried out, andthe display time within the display region R is set to be one levelslower.

[0458] After passing through step 830, when decelerated scrolling isstarted in step 832, the classification data (i.e., one of the largeclassification data, the intermediate classification data, the smallclassification data), which was high-speed scrolled in the directionopposite to the direction from the substantial center of the sheetswitch 110 toward the touch portion 170 or the like, moves in a movingmode which is similar to that at the time of the high-speed scrolling.Accompanying this, the classification data other than theseclassification data also move, and the labels of the classification datapositioned within the display region R are displayed on thecorresponding selection buttons 32•54.

[0459] After the above-described start of the decelerated scrolling, theloop of steps 802, 804, 806, 802 in FIG. 40 is circled, and during thattime, the classification data which had moved into the display region Ris moved after being displayed in the display region for the time set instep 826, i.e., a time which is one level slower than the display timetherebefore.

[0460] In this way, at the time of starting-up the presentsearch-by-genre program, even if there is a case such as the desiredclassification data (i.e., the classification data for which display isdesired) is far from the classification data displayed in the displayregion R, by carrying out the above-described high-speed scrolling, thedesired classification data can be displayed faster than when the usualscrolling is carried out. Furthermore, in a case in which the desiredclassification data is approaching after the start of high-speedscrolling, or in a case in which the desired classification data wasdisplayed in the display region R but the stopping of the movement ofthe classification data was not in time, or the like, the desiredclassification data can calmly and reliably be displayed in the displayregion R by carrying out decelerated scrolling.

[0461] Further, by carrying out high-speed scrolling, deceleratedscrolling, and usual scrolling for each of the large classificationdata, the intermediate classification data, and the small classificationdata, for example, even if the small classification data are huge or thesum of the individual data included in the respective smallclassification data (e.g., the registered mark data at the time ofstarting-up the registered mark search program) is huge, the desiredsmall classification data or individual data can be quickly searchedfor, and the operability improves.

[0462] Moreover, by carrying out the high-speed scrolling and thedecelerated scrolling as described above, it suffices to not separatelydisplay a high-speed scrolling mode button or a decelerated scrollingmode button within the display region R. Thus, effective, practical useof the display region R, such as increasing the size or increasing thenumbers of the selection buttons 32, 54 or the like, is possible.

[0463] Note that, as described above, the present embodiment wasstructured such that the three types which are the large classificationdata, the intermediate classification data, and the small classificationdata are lined up in the line direction of the selection buttons 32•54.However, a structure may be used in which these three types ofclassification data are lined up in the column direction of theselection buttons 32, 54. In this case, it goes without saying that themoving direction (scrolling direction) of the respective classificationdata is the line direction, whereas the moving direction (scrollingdirection) of the respective classification data was the columndirection in the structure in which the three types of classificationdata were lined up in the line direction of the selection buttons 32•54.

[0464] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the classification data wasstructured by the three types which were the large classification data,the intermediate classification data and the small classification data.However, it is possible to make the classification data into four ormore types. Of course, when the classification data is four or moretypes, this may be handled by increasing the line terminals 122•136 andthe number of columns of the selection buttons 32•54. However, this canalso be handled without increasing the line terminals 122•136 and thenumber of columns of the selection buttons 32•54, by using a structurein which scrolling along the line direction of the selection buttons32•54 is possible, and the classification data positioned outside of thedisplay region R in the line direction of the selection buttons 32•54are moved and displayed within the display region R by scrolling alongthe line direction of the selection buttons 32•54.

[0465] Further, the present embodiment which was described up until nowwas structured such that all of the above-described map screen displayprogram, registered mark search program and search-by-genre program canbe started-up. However, a structure may be used which has (which canstart-up), among these three programs, any one or two. Or, theabove-described high-speed scrolling processing and deceleratedscrolling processing may be applied to other programs.

[0466] Moreover, the present embodiment was structured to have both thehigh-speed scrolling processing and the decelerated scrollingprocessing, but may be structured so as to not have the deceleratedscrolling processing.

[0467] Further, each of the above-described embodiments was structuredsuch that the infrared ray signal L based on the touch signal and theclick signal is sent from the controller 70 to the device main body 12,and the infrared ray signal L is processed and judged at the controlsection 22 of the device main body 12. However, a structure may be usedin which the touch signals and the click signals are processed andjudged at the CPU 88 within the controller 70, and only the resultsthereof are sent as the infrared ray signal L (in other words, thecontrol means may be divided between the control section 22 and the CPU88).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0468] As described above, the screen operating device relating to thepresent invention can be utilized in car navigation devices and caraudio devices mounted in vehicles, as well as in various devices usingmonitor devices, such as air conditioning devices for vehicles or thelike which display various types of icons or virtual buttons on anoutput screen of a monitor device in place of a conventional operationpanel and which select a desired function such as temperature adjustmentor the like.

1. A screen operating device comprising: detecting means having anoperation surface which is a flat surface or a curved surface, anddetecting an operating body on the operation surface, and outputting adetection signal when detecting the operating body; and control meansfor displaying an image on an outputting means, and for switching ormaintaining the image displayed on the outputting means on the basis ofa detection signal, from the detecting means, corresponding to at leastone of a presence/absence of the operating body on the operationsurface, a position of the operating body on the operation surface, anda locus of movement on the operation surface.
 2. The screen operatingdevice of claim 1, wherein the detecting means is structured so as toinclude: operating body detecting means for detecting thepresence/absence of the operating body on the operation surface, and foroutputting an operating body detection signal at least when detectingthe operating body on the operation surface; and pressing forcedetecting means for detecting a pressing force applied to the operationsurface, and for outputting a pressing force detection signal whendetecting the pressing force, and when the pressing force detectionsignal is not outputted after a predetermined time has elapsed fromoutput of the operating body detection signal, a predetermined screen isoutputted to the outputting means, and when the pressing force detectionsignal is outputted within the predetermined time, the control meanscarries out a specific processing other than outputting of thepredetermined screen.
 3. The screen operating device of claim 1, whereinthe detecting means is structured so as to include an operating bodydetecting means for detecting the presence/absence of the operating bodyon the operation surface, and for outputting an operating body detectionsignal at least when detecting the operating body on the operationsurface, and when the operating body detection signal is outputtedcontinuously after a predetermined time has elapsed from output of theoperating body detection signal, the control means outputs apredetermined screen to the outputting means, and when output of theoperating body detection signal is stopped within the predeterminedtime, the control means carries out a specific processing other thanoutput of the predetermined screen.
 4. The screen operating device ofclaim 1, wherein the detecting means is structured so as to include:operating body detecting means for detecting the presence/absence of theoperating body on the operation surface, 1, wherein when the positiondetection signal is outputted continuously after a predetermined timehas elapsed from output of the position detection signal, the controlmeans outputs a predetermined screen to the outputting means, and whenoutput of the position detection signal is stopped within thepredetermined time, the control means carries out a specific processingother than output of the predetermined screen.
 4. (amended) The screenoperating device for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein in either one case ofa case in which the pressing force detection signal is outputted withina predetermined time from output of the position detection signal and acase in which output of the position detection signal is stopped withina time, which is the same as or different than the predetermined time,from output of the position detection signal, the control means outputsa predetermined screen to the outputting means, and in the other onecase, the control means carries out a specific processing other thanoutput of the predetermined screen.
 5. (amended) The screen operatingdevice for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein when the control meansdisplays, at the outputting means, a first screen based on a specificfunction and one or a plurality of the operating body on the operationsurface based on the position detection signal corresponds to thefunction switching portion, the control means displays on the outputtingmeans a second screen based on the other function to which said functionswitching portion belongs.
 6. The screen operating device of claim 5,wherein, in a state in which the control means displays the secondscreen on the outputting means, when the position detection signal isnot outputted, the control means displays the first screen on theoutputting means.
 7. The screen operating device of claim 5, wherein, ina displayed state of the second screen, the control means displays oneor a plurality of selection portions belonging to the other function,and in a state immediately after switching to the second screen, thecontrol means sets the selection portion, which is at a positioncorresponding to the function switching portion which was selectedduring display of the first screen immediately before display of thesecond screen, in a selected state.
 8. The screen operating device ofclaim 7, wherein the control means displays, at the function switchingportion, processing contents at the time of selecting the selectionportion which is set in the selected state immediately after the secondscreen switching.
 9. The screen operating device of claim 6, wherein, ina displayed state of the second screen, the control means displays oneor a plurality of selection portions belonging to the other function,and in a state immediately after switching to the second screen, thecontrol means sets the selection portion, which is at a positioncorresponding to the function switching portion which was selectedduring display of the first screen immediately before display of thesecond screen, in a selected state.
 10. The screen operating device ofclaim 9, wherein the control means displays, at the function switchingportion, processing contents at the time of selecting the selectionportion which is set in the selected state immediately after the secondscreen switching.
 11. The screen operating device of claim 1, whereinthe detecting means is structured so as to include a position detectingmeans for detecting a position of the operating body on the operationsurface, and for outputting a position detection signal corresponding tothe position of the operating body on the operation surface, and thecontrol means displays data at respective predetermined positions in adisplay region of the outputting means, and, on the basis of theposition detection signal, the control means computes a moving directionof the operating body moving on the operation surface, and the controlmeans moves all of or a portion of the data in a direction substantiallyopposite to the moving direction, and displays, on the outputting means,data of an outer side of the display region in a direction correspondingto the moving direction.
 12. The screen operating device of claim 11,wherein on the basis of the position detection signal which changes, thecontrol means computes a staying time of the operating body at at leastone point of a movement starting point of the operating body on theoperation surface, one or plural intermediate points during movement,and a movement ending point, or a moving time from at least one of thepoints to another one point, and the control means executes movement ofthe data when the computed staying time or moving time is less than apredetermined value.
 13. The screen operating device of claim 12,wherein on the basis of a predetermined detection signal which thedetecting means outputs other than the position detection signal whichchanges, the control means moves all of or a portion of the data at aspeed which is different than a moving speed of the data based on theposition detection signal which changes.
 14. The screen operating deviceof claim 13, wherein on the basis of the position detection signal whichchanges, the control means computes a staying time of the operating bodyat at least one point of a movement starting point of the operating bodyon the operation surface, one or plural intermediate points duringmovement, and a movement ending point, or a moving time from at leastone of the points to another one point, and sets a moving speed of thedata on the basis of the computed staying time or moving time.
 15. Thescreen operating device of claim 14, wherein the control means executesmovement of the data when the position detection signal, in a case inwhich the position detecting means detects the operating body whosemovement on the operation surface has ended and which is positioned onthe operation surface, is not outputted immediately after the positiondetection signal which changes is outputted.
 16. The screen operatingdevice of claim 11, wherein on the basis of a predetermined detectionsignal which the detecting means outputs other than the positiondetection signal which changes, the control means moves all of or aportion of the data at a speed which is different than a moving speed ofthe data based on the position detection signal which changes.
 17. Thescreen operating device of claim 16, wherein on the basis of theposition detection signal which changes, the control means computes astaying time of the operating body at at least one point of a movementstarting point of the operating body on the operation surface, one orplural intermediate points during movement, and a movement ending point,or a moving time from at least one of the points to another one point,and sets a moving speed of the data on the basis of the computed stayingtime or moving time.
 18. The screen operating device of claim 17,wherein the control means executes movement of the data when theposition detection signal, in a case in which the position detectingmeans detects the operating body whose movement on the operation surfacehas ended and which is positioned on the operation surface, is notoutputted immediately after the position detection signal which changesis outputted.
 19. The screen operating device of claim 11, wherein onthe basis of the position detection signal which changes, the controlmeans computes a staying time of the operating body at at least onepoint of a movement starting point of the operating body on theoperation surface, one or plural intermediate points during movement,and a movement ending point, or a moving time from at least one of thepoints to another one point, and sets a moving speed of the data on thebasis of the computed staying time or moving time.
 20. The screenoperating device of claim 19, wherein the control means executesmovement of the data when the position detection signal, in a case inwhich the position detecting means detects the operating body whosemovement on the operation surface has ended and which is positioned onthe operation surface, is not outputted immediately after the positiondetection signal which changes is outputted.
 21. The screen operatingdevice of claim 11, wherein the control means executes movement of thedata when the position detection signal, in a case in which the positiondetecting means detects the operating body whose movement on theoperation surface has ended and which is positioned on the operationsurface, is not outputted immediately after the position detectionsignal which changes is outputted.
 21. (NEW) A screen operating devicefor a vehicle comprising: a case provided within a vehicle cabin, andprovided as a separate body from an outputting means which displays animage; position detecting means having, at a reverse surface of asheet-shaped operation surface which is provided at the case in a statein which an obverse of the operation surface is exposed from the caseand whose obverse is a flat surface or a curved surface, a plurality offirst line terminals disposed parallel to one another and a plurality ofsecond line terminals disposed parallel to one another along a directionorthogonal to the plurality of first line terminals in a state of beingseparated from the plurality of first line terminals in a direction ofthickness of the operation surface, and when the operation surface ispressed, the position detecting means outputs a position detectionsignal corresponding to a pressed region on the press surface due to oneof the plurality of first line terminals and one of the plurality ofsecond line terminals contacting one another and becoming continuous atthe pressed region; pressing force detecting means provided within thecase at a side of the second line terminals opposite the operationsurface, and in a state in which one of the plurality of first lineterminals contacts one of the plurality of second line terminals due topressing force with respect to the operation surface, when the pressingforce is a predetermined value or more, a continuous state arises, andthe pressing force detecting means outputs a pressing force detectionsignal which is different than the position detection signal; andcontrol means provided as a separate body from the outputting means andthe case, and displaying an image at the outputting means, and switchingor maintaining the image displayed at the outputting means on the basisof a detection signal corresponding to at least one of apresence/absence of the operating body on the operation surface, aposition of the operating body on the operation surface, and a locus ofmovement on the operation surface, among the position detection signaland the pressing force detection signal.
 22. (NEW) The screen operatingdevice for a vehicle of claim 21, wherein when a pressing forcedetection signal is not outputted after a predetermined time has elapsedfrom output of the position detection signal, a predetermined screen isoutputted to the outputting means, and when the pressing force detectionsignal is outputted within the predetermined time, the control meanscarries out a specific processing other than output of the predeterminedscreen.
 23. (NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicle of claim 21,wherein when the position detection signal is outputted continuouslyafter a predetermined time has elapsed from output of the positiondetection signal, the control means outputs a predetermined screen tothe outputting means, and when output of the position detection signalis stopped within the predetermined time, the control means carries outa specific processing other than output of the predetermined screen. 24.(NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicle of claim 21, wherein ineither one case of a case in which the pressing force detection signalis outputted within a predetermined time from output of the positiondetection signal and a case in which output of the position detectionsignal is stopped within a time, which is the same as or different thanthe predetermined time, from output of the position detection signal,the control means outputs a predetermined screen to the outputtingmeans, and in the other one case, the control means carries out aspecific processing other than output of the predetermined screen. 25.(NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicle of claim 21, whereinwhen the control means displays, at the outputting means, a first screenbased on a specific function and one or a plurality of functionswitching portions belonging to another function which is different thanthe specific function, and the position of the operating body on the opration surface based on the position detection signal corresponds to thefunction switching portion, the control means displays at the outputtingmeans a second screen based on the other function to which said functionswitching portion belongs.
 26. (NEW) The screen operating device for avehicle of claim 25, wherein, in a state in which the control meansdisplays the second screen on the outputting means, when the positiondetection signal is not outputted, the control means displays the firstscreen on the outputting means.
 27. (NEW) The screen operating devicefor a vehicle of claim 25, wherein, in a displayed state of the secondscreen, the control means displays one or a plurality of selectionportions belonging to the other function, and in a state immediatelyafter switching to the second screen, the control means sets theselection portion, which is at a position corresponding to the functionswitching portion which was selected during display of the first screenimmediately before display of the second screen, in a selected state.28. (NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicle of claim 27, whereinthe control means displays, at the function switching portion,processing contents at the time of selecting the selection portion whichis set in the selected state immediately after the second screenswitching.
 29. (NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicle of claim25, wherein, in a displayed state of the second screen, the controlmeans displays one or a plurality of selection portions belonging to theother function, and in a state immediately after switching to the secondscreen, the control means sets the selection portion, which is at aposition corresponding to the function switching portion which wasselected during display of the first screen immediately before displayof the second screen, in a selected state.
 30. (NEW) The screenoperating device for a vehicle of claim 29, wherein the control meansdisplays, at the function switching portion, processing contents at thetime of selecting the selection portion which is set in the selectedstate immediately after the second screen switching.
 31. (NEW) Thescreen operating device for a vehicle of claim 21, wherein the controlmeans displays data at respective predetermined positions in a displayregion of the outputting means, and, on the basis of the positiondetection signal, the control means computes a moving direction of theoperating body moving on the operation surface, and the control meansmoves all of or a portion of the data in a direction substantiallyopposite to the moving direction, and displays, at the outputting means,data of an outer side of the display region in a direction correspondingto the moving direction.
 32. (NEW) The screen operating device for avehicle of claim 31, wherein on the basis of the position detectionsignal which changes, the control means computes a staying time of theoperating body at at least one point of a movement starting point of theoperating body on the operation surface, one or plural intermediatepoints during movement, and a movement ending point, or a moving timefrom at least one of the points to another one point, and the controlmeans executes movement of the data when the computed staying time ormoving time is less than a predetermined value.
 33. (NEW) The screenoperating device for a vehicle of claim 32, wherein on the basis of apredetermined detection signal which the detecting means outputs otherthan the position detection signal which changes, the control meansmoves all of or a portion of the data at a speed which is different thana moving speed of the data based on the position detection signal whichchanges.
 34. (NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicle of claim33, wherein on the basis of the position detection signal which changes,the control means computes a staying time of the operating body at atleast one point of a movement starting point of the operating body onthe operation surface, one or plural intermediate points duringmovement, and a movement ending point, or a moving time from at leastone of the points to another one point, and sets a moving speed of thedata on the basis of the computed staying time or moving time.
 35. (NEW)The screen operating device for a vehicle of claim 34, wherein thecontrol means executes movement of the data when the position detectionsignal, in a case in which the position detecting means detects theoperating body whose movement on the operation surface has ended andwhich is positioned on the operation surface, is not outputtedimmediately after the position detection signal which changes isoutputted.
 36. (NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicle of claim31, wherein on the basis of a predetermined detection signal which thedetecting means outputs other than the position detection signal whichchanges, the control means moves all of or a portion of the data at aspeed which is different than a moving speed of the data based on theposition detection signal which changes.
 37. (NEW) The screen operatingdevice for a vehicle of claim 36, wherein on the basis of the positiondetection signal which changes, the control means computes a stayingtime of the operating body at at least one point of a movement startingpoint of the operating body on the operation surface, one or pluralintermediate points during movement, and a movement ending point, or amoving time from at least one of the points to another one point, andsets a moving speed of the data on the basis of the computed stayingtime or moving time.
 38. (NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicleof claim 37, wherein the control means executes movement of the datawhen the position detection signal, in a case in which the positiondetecting means detects the operating body whose movement on theoperation surface has ended and which is positioned on the operationsurface, is not outputted immediately after the position detectionsignal which changes is outputted.
 39. (NEW) The screen operating devicefor a vehicle of claim 31, wherein on the basis of the positiondetection signal which changes, the control means computes a stayingtime of the operating body at at least one point of a movement startingpoint of the operating body on the operation surface, one or pluralintermediate points during movement, and a movement ending point, or amoving time from at least one of the points to another one point, andsets a moving speed of the data on the basis of the computed stayingtime or moving time.
 40. (NEW) The screen operating device for a vehicleof claim 39, wherein the control means executes movement of the datawhen the position detection signal, in a case in which the positiondetecting means detects the operating body whose movement on theoperation surface has ended and which is positioned on the operationsurface, is not outputted immediately after the position detectionsignal which changes is outputted.
 41. (NEW) The screen operating devicefor a vehicle of claim 31, wherein the control means executes movementof the data when the position detection signal, in a case in which theposition detecting means detects the operating body whose movement onthe operation surface has ended and which is positioned on the operationsurface, is not outputted immediately after the position detectionsignal which changes is outputted.